Privacy Statement by good ole microsoft

Its a long read I apologize but its interesting none the less.

How do you folks feel about this?

The updated privacy statement and windows 10.

windows.microsoft.com...
Here's an excerpt I find particularly intriguing...

Microsoft collects many kinds of information in a variety of ways to operate effectively and provide you the best products, services and experiences. We may combine this data with information that is linked to your user ID, such as information associated with your Microsoft account. When you acquire, install and use the Program software and services, Microsoft collects information about your use of the software and services as well as about the devices and networks on which they operate. Examples of data we may collect include your name, email address, preferences and interests; location, browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; voice, text and writing input; and application usage. For example, when you: install or use Program software and services, we may collect information about your device and applications and use it for purposes such as determining or improving compatibility (e.g., to help devices and apps work together), when you use voice input features like speech-to-text, we may collect voice information and use it for purposes such as improving speech processing (e.g., to help the service better translate speech into text), when you open a file, we may collect information about the file, the application used to open the file, and how long it takes to use it for purposes such as improving performance (e.g., to help retrieve documents more quickly), or when you input text, handwrite notes, or ink comments, we may collect samples of your input to improve these input features, (e.g., to help improve the accuracy of autocomplete and spellcheck). The Program software and services may contain internet-enabled features and social functionality. When these features are used, they transmit certain standard computer information ("Standard Computer Data") to Microsoft. Standard Computer Data may include information about your computing environment such as IP address, network status, operating conditions and information about devices and software used with the Program software and services. The Program software and services contain internet-enabled features that transmit performance or usage information to Microsoft (“Experience Data”). Experience Data may include information about performance and reliability, such as how quickly the software and services respond when you click a button or how many problems you experience with a given software or service. Experience Data may also include information about your use of software and services, such as the features used most often or how frequently you launch programs. Experience Data may be collected through the use of cookies or similar technologies; learn more below. Microsoft automatically collects data from the devices you use with the Program software and services. This may include information about all aspects of the Program software and services, such as device performance, user interface interactions, and feature and application usage, including third party applications.

a reply to: MConnalley

I believe this brings MS up to (down to) Google's level. Corporations must feed.

"name, email address, preferences and interests; location, browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; voice, text and writing input; and application usage."

That's all I need to know, thank you. I won't be using Windows 10.

a reply to: MConnalley

So now people read it?

Raise your hand if you've actually read the user agreement before installing. No takers.

We've all done it and if people are now starting to feel violated-well you've had years to read the user agreements but instead you've just scrolled down without reading the T&Cs, checked the box that said 'I Agree' and clicked OK.

And now MIcrosoft is the enemy because someone actually read the T&Cs? Apple, Yahoo-all of them have third party agreements that you aren't aware of-but yet you still scrolled to the bottom of the screen and clicked OK.

At the end of the day privacy only goes as far as a police Warren t......

originally posted by: pianoasis
"name, email address, preferences and interests; location, browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; voice, text and writing input; and application usage."

That's all I need to know, thank you. I won't be using Windows 10.

Then i'd think again before using your iPhone...

originally posted by: Thecakeisalie
a reply to: MConnalley

So now people read it?

Raise your hand if you've actually read the user agreement before installing. No takers.

We've all done it and if people are now starting to feel violated-well you've had years to read the user agreements but instead you've just scrolled down without reading the T&Cs, checked the box that said 'I Agree' and clicked OK.

And now MIcrosoft is the enemy because someone actually read the T&Cs? Apple, Yahoo-all of them have third party agreements that you aren't aware of-but yet you still scrolled to the bottom of the screen and clicked OK.

This is what comes to mind... thanks South Park

We've been warned.

originally posted by: Thecakeisalie
a reply to: MConnalley

So now people read it?

Raise your hand if you've actually read the user agreement before installing. No takers.

We've all done it and if people are now starting to feel violated-well you've had years to read the user agreements but instead you've just scrolled down without reading the T&Cs, checked the box that said 'I Agree' and clicked OK.

And now MIcrosoft is the enemy because someone actually read the T&Cs? Apple, Yahoo-all of them have third party agreements that you aren't aware of-but yet you still scrolled to the bottom of the screen and clicked OK.

what is your point here ? .. that the OP shouldnt have created this thread .. cos we rarely check T&Cs ?

its a fair assumption that most of us havent read them ... but am unsure if you are suggesting, that for that reason, we shouldnt be educated like this manner ..

Instead of reading the MS terms and conditions ... i googled it .. and read what many others were saying .. who were far better than me, to assimilate the T&Cs .. and put them into terms i could understand ...
which .. lets face it .. is likely part of the reason corps use T&Cs in the wording they do .. not only to cover all bases .. but to baffle the heck out most of the people they are aimed at ...

so .. its my opinion .. that its a good idea for people like me .. who find it hard to read and understand that HUUUUGE wall of text ... to read the 'slimmed down' .. succinct .. straight to the point versions that people can better understand ...

highlight the important parts .. translate the parts that need translated to the layman ...

are you saying this is wrong of me ? .. if not .. what are you actually saying ?
that cos we have been fooled many times before ,... we shold be quiet .. be good little sheep .. take what were given .. do what were told ..
as though its our fault we dont understand that unrealistic huge wall of legal jargon ... clearly worded by lawyers, for lawyers ...

originally posted by: Segenam

originally posted by: Thecakeisalie
a reply to: MConnalley

So now people read it?

Raise your hand if you've actually read the user agreement before installing. No takers.

We've all done it and if people are now starting to feel violated-well you've had years to read the user agreements but instead you've just scrolled down without reading the T&Cs, checked the box that said 'I Agree' and clicked OK.

And now MIcrosoft is the enemy because someone actually read the T&Cs? Apple, Yahoo-all of them have third party agreements that you aren't aware of-but yet you still scrolled to the bottom of the screen and clicked OK.

what is your point here ? .. that the OP shouldnt have created this thread .. cos we rarely check T&Cs ?...

I think his point is asking "why is the OP singling out Windows 10 when Mac OS, iPhone OS, and Android's OS already tracks the same level of personal information"?

I believe he is pointing out to the OP that even though he may have just noticed recently that Windows 10 is saying it can track certain private information, the fact is that this is nothing new and has been going on for years across all computer and smartphone platforms.

So this isn't just a Windows 10 issue. It's a Mac, iPhone, and Android issue, too.

a reply to: MConnalley

It´s understandable that they need some informations to improve their services.
What I dislike is how blurry their information is.

....when you open a file, we may collect information about the file....

WHAT informations?

And terms like "such as" are very blurry.

If we actually spent time reading every single user agreement for every single device, hardware, software, etc that we own, we would never have time to eat, drink or sleep.

I say the same about laws. If we spent all of the time needed to read and understand every single law from local, state and federal sources, we would never have any time to break them or do anything else for that matter.

So much for simplicity.

Microsoft will only take what you give them and if you are connected to the internet. From a legal standpoint if they use this data in any other manner than to help improve their products they have violated their own T&C's. For example if they sold the data to another company or let the NSA or other Government agency have access to it without a warrant they have violated your rights.

It is concerning though. It makes you wonder why they need all of this data.

originally posted by: Thecakeisalie

originally posted by: pianoasis
"name, email address, preferences and interests; location, browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; voice, text and writing input; and application usage."

That's all I need to know, thank you. I won't be using Windows 10.

Then i'd think again before using your iPhone...

Or any smartphone. As my husband and I were discussing painting the exterior of our house, ads started popping up on both our phones (Samsung galaxy 4 and a note 3). We had not Googled anything - we were only talking in our home.
They are listening, this wasn't the first time ads came up about our discussion of renovations.

I wrote it in another thread. I, personally, am not so concerned about microsoft.
More about the people that WILL go after that data.
For #s and giggls and also crime. Yes it´s encrypted on transmission.
But that does not mean it´s encrypted while stored.
And even if so, we have the same problem. MS would have to decrypt every time it accesses the databases.
Weak point again.


Anybody telling me microsofts own servers are very secure, did never saw something on their servers that was not supposed to be there. FTP-scene for example. How many times I found ISOs in hidden folders on some official ms ftps, containing cracked ms products. Completely with own ftp-user-accounts generated with pw by that group.
Folder and file chmods were readonly. For a short time.

And before someone says microsofts internal servers are much more secure than those FTP servers. Well. If theres bad practice somewhere, you can expect it´s not the only place you will find that.

htaccess for example (for those who know), is somehow deemed secure with long enough usernames and pws. However when you do it wrong...it´s useless for protection, even more it allows certain exploits.

And before someone accuses me of downloading warez, if you find splitted rar files named for example "VS10_prem_precr"
the case is clear.

originally posted by: pianoasis
"name, email address, preferences and interests; location, browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; voice, text and writing input; and application usage."

That's all I need to know, thank you. I won't be using Windows 10.

Linux Mint has been doing everything I need for a few years now. I still have a Windows machine for some software that doesn't run on Limux, but it is never connected to the Internet!

a reply to: MConnalley

So in other words or lame terms, you use Microsoft and they will own your soul.

This is Windows Insider Program privacy statement. And it's old news. Most, if not all test versions of software collect as much usage data as possible to help improve the final version. If you don't wish to share, do not participate in a alpha/beta/preview program.

originally posted by: Thecakeisalie
Raise your hand if you've actually read the user agreement before installing. No takers.

I did.

I simply discovered the T&C again after downloading ans configuring windows. I was looking for where they hid windows update (in the settings app apparently.) Thats where the link i posted here was. I didn't post this with the intent of spotlighting Microsoft or to demonize them amongst there just as guilty peers. I in the moment simply felt it was a good idea to show you guys. I never singed up for anything special other then reserving windows 10 for OS upgrade from windows 7.