Network: Bytes - Pentium III processor
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.INTEL'S CONTROVERSIAL serial number identification technology is not unique to the Pentium III processor. The company said last week that an early version had been built into some mobile versions of its Pentium II processors.
"We were informed by a customer that the chip ID was present in the mobile Pentium II processor in mobile module form," George Alfs, an Intel spokesman, said.
"The serial number circuitry was included to test the manufacturing process. Although the circuit was supposed to be switched off before the processors shipped, some left the factory with it still enabled.
"These slipped through. We had no intention to turn this on for the Pentium II. The processor serial number is only a Pentium III feature," Alfs said.
Meanwhile, consumer and privacy groups in the United States continued to lobby the Federal Trade Commission to launch a full investigation of the serial number technology and its implications for privacy "We're seeking an injunction on the chip itself and an investigation of the safest way for PC manufacturers to disable the chip," Ari Schwartz, a policy analyst at the Center for Democracy and Technology, said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments