Microsoft’s Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) anti-piracy tool has angered a lot of people and 
rightfully so in my opinion. Fellow ZDNet bloggers have explained the details of the software along their concerns. Ed Bott wrote Microsoft presses the Stupid button and lists the stupid mistakes, starting with “it should never have been included with Critical Updates”. I agree with that and all his points.
David Berlind asked Does Microsoft’s new WGA disclosure fall short?. The answer to that question is a resounding Y.E.S. Berlind also is concerned, along with many others, that users are "becoming Microsoft’s guinea pigs" because the software is in a pre-release test stage. He devotes an entire blog post to the subject. He also posted a most informative image gallery of the WGA installation process.
The other huge concern with WGA is that it phones home daily, or each time you boot up the machine. In fact, some, including Lauren Weinstein, have gone so far as to question if it is spyware. Weinstein got a response from Microsoft on that one, which is posted here. It was never entirely clear to me exactly what information was being sent back to Microsoft. Microsoft responded saying they will change the software so that it checks in only every 14 days instead of each boot up and by the end of the year it will stop pinging Microsoft. Update: I found this link that tells what information is sent to Microsoft. ยป How to disable WGA notification | Spyware Confidential | ZDNet.com
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