Microsoft responds to Windows 10 privacy concerns

[GoodBytes]

Windows chief Terry Myerson wrote a detail blog post about the privacy concern that some users have with Windows 10.

He states that Microsoft doesn't collect user data (well, if you send files through your Microsoft e-mail, or use OneDrive, obviously it will be collected, you are given your files to Microsoft, but Windows itself doesn't).

 

He states that Windows 10 had the following in mind when it was made:

1. Windows 10 collects information so the product will work better for you.
2. You are in control with the ability to determine what information is collected.

 

About the concerns over the content of application crash data (that is when a program crashes, the dump file is generated and sent to Microsoft to look into it to see if the problem is due to Windows and fix it, if it is), Terry Myerson reveals Microsoft doesn't collect content or files, and he states that:

the company takes several steps to avoid collecting any information that directly identifies you, such as your name, email address or account ID.

 

We collect a limited amount of information to help us provide a secure and reliable experience. This includes data like an 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.

 

A great example of how this data was used effectively was just last month, when aggregate data showed us that a particular version of a graphics driver was crashing on some Windows 10 PCs, which then caused a reboot. This driver was not widely used, but still the issue was impacting customers. We immediately contacted the partner who builds the driver and worked with them to turn around a fix to Windows Insiders within 24 hours. We used the data on Insiders’ devices to confirm that the problem was resolved, and then rolled out the fix to the broad public via an update the next day – all-in-all, this data helped us find, fix and resolve a significant problem within 48 hours.

 

 

As for personal data, you are in control as well. Your interests are control via Cortana, and you choose if you want to use the service or not. By default Coratana is disabled.

We aspire to deliver a delightful and personalized Windows experience to you, which benefits from knowing some things about you to customize your experience, such as knowing whether you are a Seattle Seahawks fan or Real Madrid fan, in order to give you updates on game scores or recommend apps you might enjoy– or remembering the common words you type in text messaging conversations to provide you convenient text completion suggestions. You are in control of the information we collect for these purposes and can update your settings at any time. Note that with new features like Cortana which require more personal information to deliver the full experience, you are asked if you want to turn them on and are given additional privacy customization options.

 

Microsoft continues to insist that Microsoft does not scans your files or e-mail, even when using Microsoft service for targeted ads.

Unlike some other platforms, no matter what privacy options you choose, 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.

 

Another feature that Windows 10 has which collects user information are family features that are enabled by default, this is to send activity data to a parent of the user of the account.  However, Microsoft states that a coming update will arrive soon, which will give users more control on family safety features built-in in Windows 10. Stating:

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, we’re working on ways to further enhance the notifications that kids and parents get about activity reporting in Windows.

 

While not all concerns are covered in this blog post, it does cover the big ones.

You can read it all here: http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/09/28/privacy-and-windows-10/

 

Source: http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/28/9409557/microsoft-windows-10-privacy-concerns-response

 

[samcool55]

"you are in control" is straight BS, that sentence alone proves this is all BS and not true.

 

There are already people that found out MS sends things to their servers even if you turn off all the options you can reach easily.

Firstly they screw our privacy, and now they just straight up lie to us. Wow MS... Where is that keep on digging stuff?

 

edit: oh yea, more BS alert. Cortana is always ENABLED. My W10 system sometimes needs to logout and login again because cortana didn't start properly.

I have NOT turned it on and i blocked it in every single way, and sometimes it gives me the message it needs to relog me in because it crashed or didn't start properly or whatever. Such a disappointment...

[GoodBytes]

"you are in control" is straight BS, that sentence alone proves this is all BS and not true.

 

There are already people that found out MS sends things to their servers even if you turn off all the options you can reach easily.

Firstly they screw our privacy, and now they just straight up lie to us. Wow MS... Where is that keep on digging stuff?

You ARE in control. You have the options.

And what you are talking about is called telemetry data. Something that is embedded in Windows since XP days. It was NEVER a problem, never been a problem for all your devices as well, just now with Windows 10. Sorry, but I am not buying you are saying.

[Misanthrope]

You ARE in control. You have the options.

And what you are talking about is called telemetry data. Something that is embedded in Windows since XP days. It was NEVER a problem, never been a problem for all your devices as well, just now with Windows 10. Sorry, but I am not buying you are saying.

 

Other than the option not to upgrade to Windows 10 at all how are you in control? Because it hasn't been found to be the case today? That's not very reassuring with mandatory updates that will not disclose the details on said updates.

 

This is only a reassurance that they won't do anything, without anything that actually would prevent them from doing it whenever is for their own reasons or at the behest of a government agency as ordered by a secret court. 

[Prysin]

You ARE in control. You have the options.

And what you are talking about is called telemetry data. Something that is embedded in Windows since XP days. It was NEVER a problem, never been a problem for all your devices as well, just now with Windows 10. Sorry, but I am not buying you are saying.

yeah... because microsoft really NEED TO KNOW whenever i search for midget fairy cosplay porn or how many times ive watched justin bieber music vids

[Nineshadow]

Finally, someone from Microsofts clarifies things a little.

 

The reaction from people is getting ridiculous.

[Deli]

What make us believe what Microsoft is saying?

 

VW said their diesel cars were clean and past all the emission tests.

[Guest]

... like Google isn't collecting anything...

[UltraNeonGaming]

I still haven't updated, because you know there are these things called drivers and Ai Suite which will start crying if I update

[samcool55]

You ARE in control. You have the options.

And what you are talking about is called telemetry data. Something that is embedded in Windows since XP days. It was NEVER a problem, never been a problem for all your devices as well, just now with Windows 10. Sorry, but I am not buying you are saying.

Nonono, not telemetry data. Much more than that.

Just get a good privacy protector program for W10 and look at the options it gives you, i bet you you won't find all the options yourself without the program. You will find most of them, but not all of them. And 1 way to get your information is all they need. It matters if there is one or not. And not how many ways there are.

 

They have been proven wrong even before they said all this. I'm sorry but i trust what other people discover more than the BS MS tells us.

Companies have no problem lying to us. VW anyone?

[UltraNeonGaming]

... like Google isn't collecting anything...

...Like facebook isn't collecting anything...

Google actually tells us what they collect and we can turn off most of the stuff, facebook on the hand is a nightmare

[Accursed Entity]

People will forget this in a year anyways...

[RH00D]

What make us believe what Microsoft is saying?

 

VW said their diesel cars were clean and past all the emission tests.

 

I don't know man, like, our whole lives could be a lie. Everything is a lie. We're actually living in The Matrix right now.

[Deli]

... like Google isn't collecting anything...

There is a different. Google admits they collect your information. Microsoft denies it, but still collecting in  your back.

[deviant88]

Im in the middle on this issue, i dont believe the tinfoil hats that say absolutely everything is scanned and uploaded to MS even when you turn off block all telemetry but i also dont believe microsoft doesnt collect anything.

I think this whole issues was blown out of proportions because of snowden's leaks and NSA's hidden surveillance.

I really dont think anyone would have turned W10 released into such a big issue if it werent for that.

 

Until someone proves by properly scanning everybit of information going out the ethernet port on a W10 machine, that data is sent to MS even when everything is turned off, and what data i will give MS the benefit of the doubt.

 

If i look on a forum like MDL 99% of the people there are tinfoil hats, there is no proof anywhere of windows being as intrusive as hinted all over internet yet they vehemently believe it all, and other blogpost talk abou W10 being the best thing ever, ill just stick in the middle until proven. 

 

Ive tried Wireshark and i didnt see shit suspicious on my traffic, when i was afk there was no traffic generated at all, except some router dns requests.

[Misanthrope]

There is a different. Google admits they collect your information. Microsoft denies it, but still collecting in the your back.

 

To add to that, it's not as difficult to avoid Android and Chrome OS if you need to than it is to avoid windows. Having access at the OS level is far more dangerous than having access to your searches and some of your email if you keep more than just gmail.

[Deli]

I don't know man, like, our whole lives could be a lie. Everything is a lie. We're actually living in The Matrix right now.

You have proof that we are not, ha.

[GoodBytes]

Other than the option not to upgrade to Windows 10 at all how are you in control? Because it hasn't been found to be the case today? That's not very reassuring with mandatory updates that will not disclose the details on said updates.

 

This is only a reassurance that they won't do anything, without anything that actually would prevent them from doing it whenever is for their own reasons or at the behest of a government agency as ordered by a secret court. 

Settings > Privacy.

Cortana > Interest

 

Please know the facts, instead of spreading false information.

[GoodBytes]

yeah... because microsoft really NEED TO KNOW whenever i search for midget fairy cosplay porn or how many times ive watched justin bieber music vids

When you use Google, Google knows about you. When you use Facebook, even search for people/companies Facebook knows about you.

When you use Microsoft Bing, Microsoft knows about you.

 

And yes, Microsoft does need to know about your search, like Google. Why? 2 reasons

 1- You are being tracked to know which page result and which link you click on, and stay in. This is used to know if the search results is in page 30 or should be in page 1. Both Google and Bing search engines are based on using a learning algorithm. If people stop using Google, and switch to Bing tomorrow. I can assure you that after a month or so, Google won't be looking so great, and Bing will magically be as good or near as good as Google.

 

 2- Revenue. Your interest data is being sold. No they don't go:  "Ahhh! Prysin likes porn! Let's send porn spam stuff through his mail box". No. They regroup information in huge databases, and sell that data to companies. These companies takes that data which has nothing to identify you, to generate reports like "Ahhh People in the age of 16-30, interested in computers, more precisely are possibly computer enthusiasts, like cool and quiet systems. Maybe she should focus on making quiet line motors for our fans.. us.. Computer Fan Motor Maker Manufacturing, Inc". Companies LOVES that data, Why? Cost a few millions of dollars to get it, and allows them to know if a product will work or not, before spending Several million even billions of dollars and realizes that the product doesn't sale because it is not what people want, causing the company to potentially close its doors or be in a difficult financial situation.

It is called Market Research a key part in product development. In the old days, it used to be done via surveys. But a big problem is that (if my business book is correct) 80% of market research is wrong, due to incorrect, or miss understood by the person filling up the surveys understands. Also, few people do surveys, and usually gifts given to encourage surveys filling by people, while helps, many are false, as people just quickly fill it up just to get the gift and aren't honest. Also honesty is another issue. So that is why these kind of data collected is very valuable, as it is fairly accurate. Also, and yes, it is used with marketing, either to give you targeted ads, or know how to target product with the greater effect,to maximizing sales. This is so that your company (say you have one), marketing team doesn't go and say "You know what, we manufacture fancy GPUs. One market that isn't targeted are old people. Let's make GPU ads targeted at old people. Yea!" Ok I am exaggerating for a quick chuckle here, but you get what I mean.

[Doobeedoo]

Yeah, just read about it on their site. Well, there are tools which disable most of the things... but... they say all this data collecting is for personalized experience and whatnot, though most may or don't need that kind of virtual environment which just becomes clutter. 

They should just make an option to completely disable anything user wants. They can maybe make it so that more tech savvy person can find those options or whatever and maybe majority of people who are more casual, well they'd have enough to collect things from for their better way of improving Windows I guess.

 

But having it completely locked down, and afaik atm even tools that don't disable everything is just lame.


Edit:
Just read about this, interesting indeed.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2987195/windows/microsoft-will-let-business-users-opt-out-of-windows-10-tracking.html

[GoodBytes]

There is a different. Google admits they collect your information. Microsoft denies it, but still collecting in  your back.

No. Microsoft gives you the options when you install Windows, and you have the Privacy policy. Google doesn't say that they track you. You KNOW that they do. If you try and find Chrome full privacy policy, it is buried. Why? Because probably it doesn't look nice, and it doesn't. Microsoft gives it to you in your face.

[Misanthrope]

Settings > Privacy.

Cortana > Interest

 

Please know the facts, instead of spreading false information.

 

What does that has to do with them forcing an upgrade to change anything said here even by you without you knowing since they don't feel is necessary to disclose all changes on updates?

 

Please reply to the points instead of misquoting and posting random "facts" not relevant to the points being made.

[LAwLz]

That blog post might be the biggest pile of bullshit I have seen in a long time.
 

I assure you that no other company is more committed, more transparent and listening harder to customers on this important topic than we are.

Bullshit.
There are plenty of companies who are far more transparent and listens much harder to customers regarding privacy. Want an example? Lavabit. Another example? Bahnhof. How about Mozilla? Those are the 3 big ones I can think of that are far more serious about being transparent and protecting their users' privacy than Microsoft.
 
 

• Windows 10 collects information so the product will work better for you.
• You are in control with the ability to determine what information is collected.

Number 1 seems true so I won't comment on that. Number 2 is just wrong though. I am not in control over what information is collected. I have a few vague options which don't tell me exactly what is and isn't being collected, and even when I turn all of them to being as much off as possible my computer is still leaking out data like water balloon made out of a fishing net. That's not what I call "being in control".
 
 

1. Safety and Reliability Data
We collect a limited amount of information to help us provide a secure and reliable experience. This includes data like an 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.
 
A great example of how this data was used effectively was just last month, when aggregate data showed us that a particular version of a graphics driver was crashing on some Windows 10 PCs, which then caused a reboot. This driver was not widely used, but still the issue was impacting customers. We immediately contacted the partner who builds the driver and worked with them to turn around a fix to Windows Insiders within 24 hours. We used the data on Insiders’ devices to confirm that the problem was resolved, and then rolled out the fix to the broad public via an update the next day – all-in-all, this data helped us find, fix and resolve a significant problem within 48 hours.
 
Our enterprise feature updates later this year will enable enterprise customers the option to disable this telemetry, but we strongly recommend against this.

I actually do think this is a great feature and should be included, but IT SHOULD BE OPTIONAL.
Like the part in italics implies, this feature can not be turned off at all. People with the Enterprise version will get the option to disable it in a later update, but at this point in time they can't.
How the fuck is this "being in control"? First they say you are in control and then a few paragraphs later they say that they will give more control to a specific version of Windows in a later update.
No matter how you twist and turn this, they are lying. If you claim that I am in control, then you can't just go "oh except for that thing, you don't control that. We will give control over that to some people at some point in the future, but not to you".
 
 

2. Personalization Data
We aspire to deliver a delightful and personalized Windows experience to you, which benefits from knowing some things about you to customize your experience, such as knowing whether you are a Seattle Seahawks fan or Real Madrid fan, in order to give you updates on game scores or recommend apps you might enjoy– or remembering the common words you type in text messaging conversations to provide you convenient text completion suggestions. You are in control of the information we collect for these purposes and can update your settings at any time. Note that with new features like Cortana which require more personal information to deliver the full experience, you are asked if you want to turn them on and are given additional privacy customization options.

Again, I am fine with that. I am fine with them wanting to know my location if I ask them for the weather. I am fine with Cortana sending what I say and type to their server if I use it. The problem is that it is sending a bunch of things to their servers despite me explicitly saying "no, I don't this feature enabled".
There are no reasons at all why my machine should establish a connection with their Bing server when I search for things when I have explicitly told my computer to only search for things locally. And despite telling it this, it still connects to their servers. Their "online search" service does not even work where I live. I can't even enable it if I wanted, so why does it still contact Microsoft?
 
 

3. Advertising Data We Don’t Collect
Unlike some other platforms, no matter what privacy options you choose, 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.

This might not technically be a lie, but it is extremely dishonest and misleading. Microsoft has, among other things, a service called PhotoDNA. What it does is check the hash of images you for example upload to OneDrive or send in emails to see if they contain child pornography or other illegal files. Some will call this scanning and others won't.
So they do go through your files, but they might not use the info for targeted advertisements.
Back when OneDrive was called SkyDrive they didn't allow porn on it (no porn at all) and wouldn't you know it, if you uploaded porn it was from time to time deleted for violating their rules. The only way they could detect this was if they scanned through your files. That might have changed now but I doubt it.
 
And before someone jumps at me, I am not saying PhotoDNA is a bad thing. When I use services like hotmail and Gmail I fully expect them to take every single piece of information about me as they can for a wide variety of purposes. What I don't like is them not telling the whole truth or lying about things.
 

Also, this made me chuckle:

Your Feedback Really Does Makes a Difference
-snip-
We really appreciate the rich dialogue in making Windows 10 better for all of us. We will continue to listen and respond, to earn your trust.
 

Comments for this post are currently closed.

 

 

 

I opened the link expecting a proper explanation with lots of details and all I got was the typical damage control PR bullshit.

[suicidalfranco]

source code or those are just words tossed in the air

[othertomperson]

You ARE in control. You have the options.

 

You can turn Cortana off, but Cortana runs regardless. You can choose to not have Bing results appear in your search menu, but even if you choose this your typing data gets sent to Bing regardless.

 

You are not in control -- the controls you do have are mainly cosmetic.