I don't think that sending that information is anything new, Windows
Update has to get something in order to work. I think they've just
changed the way they do it. As I mentioned in another post some
time ago, they are sending this information by POSTing SOAP
messages. If you want to see what is being sent, select
"View Posted data" in the HTTP Message Log window.
I'm also glad they provided a way to disable the automatic update, but
realistically they had no choice. There are too many people like
me who develop, test and integrate complicated systems who have
absolutely zero tolerance for uncontrolled updates to Windows.
I also have no confidence in the drivers that Windows Update
suggests I install. I generally try and keep up to date with
Windows Update, except for things I don't use. But I've had
problems with an IR driver and a mouse driver that I installed
via Windows Update, and I currently see it offering drivers
for hardware that I don't even have in my machine. I no longer
trust Windows Update for driver updates.