Privacy

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Microsoft Pluton - How bad is this on a new Intel/AMD laptop running Linux? (learn.microsoft.com)

submitted 16 hours ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Recently I came across Microsoft Pluton while searching for a new laptop. Initially I thought it was like TPM and wouldn't affect Linux. But the more I researched, the worse it got. According to them

Microsoft Pluton is a chip-to-cloud security technology that provides hardware-based root of trust, secure identity, secure attestation, and cryptographic services

Does it connect to Cloud irrespective of the OS I ran? If yes this could be a privacy nightmare.

Why aren't more people talking about this? It been here at-least since the last two generation of CPUs from AMD (from my research worst offender) and Intel.

Isn't this a privacy violation lawsuit waiting to happen? In what ways does this Microsoft Pluton chip affect people who use Linux and should I not buy a new Laptop?

Also what about manufactures like Framework? Are they also forced to work with this chips?

From where I am, used laptops are not worth it.

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 15 hours ago (6 children)

Why aren't more people talking about this? It been here at-least since the last two generation of CPUs from AMD (from my research worst offender) and Intel.

Likely because of this:

Microsoft Pluton is currently available on devices with AMD Ryzen® 6000, 7000, 8000, Ryzen AI and Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8cx Gen 3 and Snapdragon X series processors. Microsoft Pluton can be enabled on devices with Pluton capable processors running Windows 11, version 22H2 and later.

Emphasis mine. It's an optional function, and this sounds like it's targeted to businesses who either provide or have IT services. So like TPM, you can use it or not, and given the sharp rise in ransomware and other attacks, I can see why a business might want to use it.

How bad is it? I dunno. It seems to be so "noteworthy" that nobody is talking about it, and it sounds very optional.

[–] InternetCitizen2 3 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

It seems to be so “noteworthy” that nobody is talking about it, and it sounds very optional.

I mean not to be a tin foil hat but they are not going to admit to negative side effects. Take issues with right to repair and how they fly under the radar. John Deere is a big offender that affects everyone and few will know. Your food supply should be noteworthy.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 12 hours ago

I appreciate your analogy, and I recognize that the numerous Linux kernel maintainers haven't so much as made a peep about this in the last two years—plenty of other drama, but not that.

It could be that it has flown under everyone's radar, or it could be that it's not anything to worry about (yet?).

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