Windows 10 has been out for nearly two months, and since day one there has been a lot of questions and concerns about privacy. However, today Microsoft for the first time is officially responding to privacy concerns about Windows 10.
On a new article at the official Windows blog, Microsoft’s Terry Myerson shared details on how the company collects user data through the new operating system.
According to Myerson, Windows 10 collects certain information that helps to make the product work better for you, and “you are in control with the ability to determine what information is collected.”
In addition, all the information Windows 10 collects about a particular user is encrypted from the computer to the Microsoft servers, and the data is stored in secure facilities.
Data that Microsoft collects includes “anonymous device ID, device type, and application crash data which Microsoft and our developer partners use to continuously improve application reliability. This doesn’t include any of your content or files, and we take several steps to avoid collecting any information that directly identifies you, such as your name, email address or account ID.” Myerson writes.
The company highlights that collecting certain information really helps to make the product better. For example, months ago there was a problem with graphics driver and with the data collected the company was able to work with the manufacturer and provide a fix within 48 hours.
Cortana for Windows 10 is another example of concerns by customers, but the software giant says that if you turn on Cortana, “you are in control of the information [Microsoft] collect for these purposes and can update your settings at any time.”
The article also points out a new web page that users can visit to learn more about configuring their preferences for Windows 10 services.
Furthermore, Microsoft explains that “unlike some other platforms”, no matter the privacy option you configure, “neither Windows 10 nor any other Microsoft software scans the content of your email or other communications, or your files, in order to deliver targeted advertising to you.”
The new version of Windows also includes new family features that by default send reports to parents. This has been yet another concern that has been growing in the internet and the software maker is planning to introduce new changes. “[..] all Windows 10 customers will receive an upcoming update to family features, with default settings designed to be more appropriate for teenagers, compared to younger children. Additionally, [Microsoft is] working on ways to further enhance the notifications that kids and parents get about activity reporting in Windows.”
There is no doubt that we are on a time where privacy is a big concern for many users, as such Microsoft is also offering a web page that you can report if Windows 10 isn’t behaving the way it should with your privacy settings.
Source Microsoft
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].