Digital invasion wasn’t wanted

YESTERDAY, I received a message from Microsoft announcing that it needed to carry out major upgrades of Windows on my laptop. I was given a choice of timing for this to happen but not, repeat not, on whether I wanted this to happen at all.

The upgrades were carried out overnight. I could not say with certainty how long they took, but my best guess is one or two hours.

Microsoft kindly then forwarded a summary of the additional “benefits” the upgrades provided — all of which were minor and none of which I will be likely to use.

This forcible takeover could have caused me significant difficulties as I often have to work late at night, or early in the morning, to meet customer deadlines and not being able to use my laptop could result in serious consequences. Given that the laptop is my property entirely, I believe I should have the choice as to whether such “upgrades” happen and not have them forced upon me.

A physical analogy might be repair people forcing their way inside your home to “upgrade” your washing machine, whether you wish it or not. Of course, any manufacturer trying this would face a universal outcry — yet we accept these digital invasions with scarcely a murmur.

Pressure should be exerted by lawmakers globally to prevent such arrogant actions by Microsoft, or other software vendors, and return full control to computer users of what is, after all, their own property.

TREVOR K KILLEN Ballynahinch, Co Down