Microsoft has apparently just made available a new FAQ on its controversial Palladium technology at http://www.microsoft.com/PressPass/features/2002/aug02/0821PalladiumFAQ.asp.
Samples: > Q: I've heard that "Palladium" will force people to run only > Microsoft-approved software. > > A: "Palladium" can't do that. "Palladium's" security chip (the SSC) > and other features are not involved in the boot process of the OS or in > the OS's decision to load an application that doesn't use a "Palladium" > feature and execute it. Because "Palladium" is not involved in the > boot process, it cannot block an OS, or drivers or any non-"Palladium" > PC application from running. Only the user decides what "Palladium" > applications get to run. Anyone can write an application to take advantage > of "Palladium" APIs without notifying Microsoft (or anyone else) or > getting its (or anyone else's) approval. > Q: Some people have claimed that "Palladium" will enable Microsoft or > other parties to detect and remotely delete unlicensed software from my > PC. Is this true? > > A: No. As stated above, the function of "Palladium" is to make digitally > signed statements about code identity and hide secrets from other > "Palladium" applications and regular Windows kernel- and user-mode > spaces. "Palladium" doesn't have any features that make it easier for > an application to detect or delete files. Hopefully Microsoft will continue to release information about Palladium. That should help to bring some of the more outrageous rumors under control.