I heard Windows 11 has been updated to take screenshots of your computer. Is it theoretically possible for them to delete content from your PC or external hard drives if they can determine that you have pirated content on them? Can they theoretically report you for it? I know it’s unlikely but is it still possible? I’m thinking of switching to Linux and this may be the reason why.
Edit: Thank you all for your educated answers. I really appreciate y’all!
First of all, you should definitely switch to Linux for a whole bunch of reasons, not the least of which is that Windows is a privacy and sovereignty disaster.
That said, copyright is a legal concept, not a technological one. There is no algorithmic check to know if content is pirated or not because the computer can’t know what legal rights you have. The file could be identical to one that can be obtained through BitTorrent, but maybe you have a license or are using it in such a way that is Fair Use. No way for the computer to tell.
Microsoft does have the technological capability to make Windows delete your stuff (and the possibility does make using Windows untenable), but they would definitely be wrong to do so.
While I agree with you, I think Microsoft as a giant corporation could still go for the “shoot first, ask questions later” approach, and delete your content and make you appeal if you disagree.
Yeah, that’s the “(and the possibility does make using Windows untenable)” part.