"Patch previews" from Microsoft

[unixronin]

Microsoft has launched a pilot program for governments and critical infrastructure providers to gain access to in-depth technical information about operating system patches before they are released on the second Tuesday of each month.

I find this bothers me.  What makes the government so special that they should get this information but I shouldn't be able to access it?

Make the information available, or not.  But making it available just to the government and "critical infractructure providers" Because They're Somehow Special is silly.  My infrastructure is crucial to me.  How come I don't rate access to the information?  Who gets to decide whose infrastructure is "crucial"?

Comments

[unixronin]

I really have to wonder at the massive level of delusion it must take for Microsoft to think the PRC regime is EVER going to respect Western copyrights and IP law. I don't think they understand China at all.

[ithildae]

The flip answer is: Who Does? China is just far more disciplined and patient than we, in the west, can fathom. China is content for their grandchildren to be dominant. All international accommodations are subservient to that goal. They are far closer than we give them credit for. They are, perhaps, five years away from control of the western Pacific. Military bases in South America will follow quickly. All western technology is a tool to achieve those ends. They will never agree to pay for it.