Microsoft Confirms Undisableable Windows GDID Device Identifier Used by FBI

Microsoft Confirms Windows GDID Device Identifier That Cannot Be Disabled

Microsoft has officially confirmed the existence of the Global Device Identifier, a persistent ID assigned to Windows installations linked to Microsoft Accounts that cannot be disabled without breaking activation. The FBI recently used this hidden identifier to track a hacker across multiple countries and VPNs, sparking privacy concerns among researchers who note the lack of user consent or controls compared to Apple and Android.

"Security researcher Matthew Hickey has characterized Windows as surveillance software in response to the case."