Microsoft Confirms Windows GDID Device Identifier That Cannot Be Disabled
Microsoft has confirmed the existence of a persistent, device-specific identifier called the Global Device Identifier (GDID) that cannot be disabled. The ID is linked to Microsoft accounts and is used for internal tracking, activation, and service management.
Why it matters
The disclosure highlights privacy concerns regarding persistent tracking mechanisms embedded in operating systems that users cannot opt out of.
Microsoft has publicly acknowledged the existence of the Global Device Identifier (GDID), a device-specific ID assigned to Windows installations, in a federal complaint filed by US prosecutors against an alleged member of the Scattered Spider hacking group.
The article reports on technical documentation and legal filings objectively without inflammatory language.
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