> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://techlore.tech/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Microsoft Just Removed Another Way to Activate Windows Offline
- URL: https://techlore.tech/microsoft-just-removed-another-way-to-activate-windows-offline/
- Published: 2026-01-11T03:01:30.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-07T23:20:57.000Z
- Description: Techlore Surveillance Report: Weekly News for Your Digital Freedom
- Author: Henry Fisher
- Tags: Surveillance Report

This week's Surveillance Report covers Microsoft removing offline Windows activation, California's new tool to delete your data from brokers, cryptocurrency theft traced to the 2022 LastPass breach, France's social media ban for under-15s, and more!

📰

Listen to the weekly podcast on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/techlore-surveillance-report/id1507714387), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/5rxm041iDXxe0rINwO5G0c), or any [podcast app](https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/65e15188b8456c00169f4864). You can also watch Surveillance Report on [YouTube](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3KeV6Ui%5F4CZemCIsHUIuEtugAmUxAYHS) or [Techlore.TV](https://techlore.tv/w/p/twkcDETcDauUXuaGNJnhZG)

#### Episode Timestamps

00:00 Intro to Surveillance Report  
00:40 Highlight Story: Microsoft removing more Options  
05:48 California's New Data Removal Tool  
13:24 LastPass Data Breach Still Impacting People  
18:50 Support Techlore!  
19:43 More Age Verification in France, US, and more  
24:04 The Defense Bulletin

#### Episode Sources

****Highlight: Microsoft Removes Offline Windows Activation in Push for Always-Online**

- <https://alternativeto.net/news/2026/1/microsoft-disables-yet-another-offline-windows-activation-option-pushing-online-only/>

****Story 1: California Gives Residents Tool to Delete Data From Brokers**

- <https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/03/california-residents-can-use-new-tool-to-demand-brokers-delete-their-personal-data/>
- <https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/data-broker-hoarding-is-rampant-new-law-lets-consumers-fight-back/>
- <https://consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov/>
- <https://github.com/yaelwrites/Big-Ass-Data-Broker-Opt-Out-List>

****Story 2: Cryptocurrency Theft Attacks Traced to 2022 LastPass Breach**

- <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cryptocurrency-theft-attacks-traced-to-2022-lastpass-breach/>

****Story 3: France Plans Social Media Ban for Under-15s Starting September 2026**

- <https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/31/france-plans-social-media-ban-for-under-15s-from-september-2026>
- <https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/05/big-tech-won-in-texas-but-the-age-verification-fight-is-just-getting-started-00709160>

****The Defense Bulletin**

- <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/clickfix-attack-uses-fake-windows-bsod-screens-to-push-malware/>
- <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/are-copilot-prompt-injection-flaws-vulnerabilities-or-ai-limits/>
- <https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-hacked-email-systems-us-congressional-committee-staff-ft-reports-2026-01-08/>
- <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/covenant-health-says-may-data-breach-impacted-nearly-478-000-patients/>
- <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ledger-customers-impacted-by-third-party-global-e-data-breach/>
- <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/us-broadband-provider-brightspeed-investigates-breach-claims/>
- <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/sedgwick-confirms-breach-at-government-contractor-subsidiary/>
- <https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/08/illinois-health-department-exposed-over-700000-residents-personal-data-for-years/>
- <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/breachforums-hacking-forum-database-leaked-exposing-324-000-accounts/>
- <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/owncloud-urges-users-to-enable-mfa-after-credential-theft-reports/>
- <https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/01/what-is-mastodon/>
- <https://www.wired.com/story/5-features-that-boost-security-and-privacy-on-whatsapp/>
- <https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protest-safely-surveillance-digital-privacy/>
- <https://brave.com/privacy-updates/36-adblock-memory-reduction/>
- <https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-may-soon-allow-it-admins-to-uninstall-copilot-on-managed-devices/>
- <https://alternativeto.net/news/2026/1/manjaro-26-0-launches-with-linux-kernel-6-18-gnome-49-kde-plasma-6-5-and-updated-software/>
- <https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/02/pebble-reboots-its-thinnest-smartwatch-with-the-pebble-round-2/>
- <https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/01/bose-open-sources-its-soundtouch-home-theater-smart-speakers-ahead-of-eol/>
- <https://alternativeto.net/news/2026/1/nvidia-to-launch-native-linux-and-fire-tv-apps-for-its-geforce-now-cloud-gaming-service-soon/>
- <https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/2026-values-into-practice>
- <https://linuxiac.com/archboot-adds-cosmic-desktop-as-a-new-install-and-rescue-option/>