Microsoft is COMMITTED to Continuing to be Committed to Your Privacy

[helmuth_hubener]

Phew. This is a relief.

https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexp...cy-windows-10/

Our continuing commitment to your privacy with Windows 10

By Terry Myerson / Executive Vice President, Windows and Devices Group

At Microsoft, we are deeply committed to protecting our customers’ privacy. This includes providing clear choices and easy-to-use tools that put you in control of how your information is collected and used. Trust is a core pillar of our More Personal Computing vision, and we are working hard to make sure Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever and a product you love and trust.

Many of you have asked for more control over your data, a greater understanding of how data is collected, and the benefits this brings for a more personalized experience. Based on your feedback, we are launching two new experiences to help ensure you are in control of your privacy.

First, today we’re launching a new web-based privacy dashboard so you can see and control your activity data from Microsoft including location, search, browsing, and Cortana Notebook data across multiple Microsoft services. Second, we’re introducing in Windows 10 a new privacy set up experience, simplifying Diagnostic data levels and further reducing the data collected at the Basic level. These Windows 10 changes are being introduced in a Windows Insider build soon for feedback first and will be rolled out to everyone when the Windows 10 Creators Update becomes available.

We also recognize organizations have different needs than individuals when addressing privacy. Learn more about what we’re doing to help IT pros manage telemetry and privacy within their organizations here.


Microsoft privacy dashboard introduces new ways to review and manage activity data

We heard that you want better ways to be able to see and manage activity data collected by Microsoft services. Today, we’re taking a step forward in supporting our privacy principle of transparency with the introduction of a new Microsoft privacy dashboard on the web that lets you easily see and manage your activity data.

When you are signed in with your Microsoft account, you can go to account.microsoft.com/privacy to review and clear data such as browsing history, search history, location activity, and Cortana’s Notebook – all in one place. This is our first step in expanding the tools that give you visibility and control over your data spanning Microsoft products and services, and we will continue to add more functionality and categories of data over time.


Privacy changes coming to the Creators Update

We’ve been listening to your feedback and shared how we’re protecting your privacy shortly after the launch of Windows 10. We are continuing this commitment to make it as easy as possible for you to make informed choices about your privacy with Windows 10. With that in mind, in the Creators Update, we are making some changes by simplifying the privacy settings themselves and improving the way we present the privacy settings to you.

First, we will introduce a new set up experience for you to choose the settings that are right for you. This experience, which replaces previous Express Settings, will look slightly different depending on the version of Windows you are using. If you are moving from Windows 7 or Windows 8, or doing a fresh install of Windows 10, the new set up experience will clearly show you simple but important settings and you will need to choose your settings before you can move forward with setup. If you are already using Windows 10, we will use notifications to prompt you to choose your privacy settings. We’ll introduce this process in an upcoming Windows Insider build soon.

Second, we’ve simplified our Diagnostic data collection from three levels to two: Basic and Full. If you previously selected the Enhanced level, you’ll have the option to choose Basic or Full with the Creators Update.

Third, we’ve further reduced the data collected at the Basic level. This includes data that is vital to the operation of Windows. We use this data to help keep Windows and apps secure, up-to-date, and running properly when you let Microsoft know the capabilities of your device, what is installed, and whether Windows is operating correctly. This option also includes basic error reporting back to Microsoft.

Below is a look at the new privacy settings set up experience we will be introducing to Windows Insiders in an upcoming build. We have made this new set up experience voice-capable providing greater accessibility for customers. Voice data remains on the device as part of this set up process.
a look at the new privacy settings set up experience we will be introducing to Windows Insiders in an upcoming build. We have made this new set up experience voice-capable providing greater accessibility for customers. Voice data remains on the device as part of this set up process.

As you make your choices in the new set up experience, we’ll share additional information about what impact each choice will have on your Windows experience as shown below.

As always, customers can review all their privacy settings, including these, and make changes at any time under Settings.


Looking forward

When it comes to your privacy, we strive to make choices easy to understand while also providing clear visibility and control over your data. We believe finding the right balance is one of our most important tasks in delivering great personalized experiences that you love and trust.

Today, we take another step in our journey to make changes that address your feedback and help make your experience with Windows and other Microsoft products better and richer. We want you to be informed about and in control of your data, which is why we’re working hard on these settings and controls. And regardless of your data collection choices, we will not use the contents of your email, chat, files, or pictures to target ads to you.

Together we’re on a technology journey as devices, the Internet, and smart things all around us are changing the way we communicate, play and get stuff done. At Microsoft, a key part of our journey is engaging with our customers, listening to feedback and trying new ideas. Thank you for all your feedback and please continue to share your thoughts here.

Terry

Updated January 10, 2017 9:05 am

[bunklocoempire]

Privacy 10 is way better than privacy XP. Privacy 10 has a dashboard and is totally redefined ...I mean redesigned.

[helmuth_hubener]

And I'm so glad they understand that organizations have very different privacy needs than individuals.

[helmuth_hubener]

I'm surprised this hasn't attracted more attention and comments from you guys.

Here's the problem that has gotten a lot of people upset, and that Microsoft is trying to "address" with this article: Windows 10 phones home with a ton of telemetry -- privacy-violating data.

Anyway, not one to want to put forward problems without solutions, here's something you can do to address the problem and make your Windows send a lot fewer spy reports in to Microsoft (as in none, hopefully):

Just download a program called ShutUp10, from O&O Software: https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

[DamianTV]

I have to call bull$#@!.

Not on the OP, but what Microsoft is selling is the Illusion of Privacy, not actual privacy. Their definition of Privacy and an average persons definition of Privacy are VERY different.

- Average Person: Hands off what I do.
- Microsoft: Collect ALL data on what you do and make it all for sale while tricking people into believing their Privacy is protected

The corporate mentality of Privacy means they can and should collect all data on everything they possibly can. To "protect" that privacy just means they put firewalls on the servers where that data is all stored. However, it IS still for sale. Here is the trick. The companies that come along and buy that data have to get something back from the money they spend on access to that data. For example, an Insurance Company. They buy some data about you. For that purchase to be cost effective, they need to charge you more than they spent on acquiring that data. End result is that you end up spending more money for things that are known about you.

Do NOT trust corporate legalese in regards to Privacy due to the very different definitions that they and you will have. Their "tools" are meaningless. The only way to truly protect your Privacy is to NEVER give them any information about yourself in any way shape or form, which you are automatically expected to do with things like "telemetry".

NOTE: Microsoft is NOT the only company that wants access. Even Firefox has Telemetry, but can be easily disabled. Wanna go a step further? Why do your Video Card and even Logitech Mouse Drivers all need Telemetry?

Un. $#@!ing. Acceptable.

[timosman]

I have to call bull$#@!.

Not on the OP, but what Microsoft is selling is the Illusion of Privacy, not actual privacy. Their definition of Privacy and an average persons definition of Privacy are VERY different.

- Average Person: Hands off what I do.
- Microsoft: Collect ALL data on what you do and make it all for sale while tricking people into believing their Privacy is protected

The corporate mentality of Privacy means they can and should collect all data on everything they possibly can. To "protect" that privacy just means they put firewalls on the servers where that data is all stored. However, it IS still for sale. Here is the trick. The companies that come along and buy that data have to get something back from the money they spend on access to that data. For example, an Insurance Company. They buy some data about you. For that purchase to be cost effective, they need to charge you more than they spent on acquiring that data. End result is that you end up spending more money for things that are known about you.

Do NOT trust corporate legalese in regards to Privacy due to the very different definitions that they and you will have. Their "tools" are meaningless. The only way to truly protect your Privacy is to NEVER give them any information about yourself in any way shape or form, which you are automatically expected to do with things like "telemetry".

NOTE: Microsoft is NOT the only company that wants access. Even Firefox has Telemetry, but can be easily disabled. Wanna go a step further? Why do your Video Card and even Logitech Mouse Drivers all need Telemetry?

Un. $#@!ing. Acceptable.

Like you don't know? The goal is to recreate everything in silicone and then we can kill life on the planet. The electrons will still be flowing.

[AZJoe]

According to its Terms and Conditions:

“Microsoft collects information about you, your devices, applications and networks, and your use of those devices, applications and networks. Examples of data we collect include your name, email address, preferences and interests; browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; and application usage.”

“Here is there Privacy Statement where they state:

Finally, we will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary to:

1. comply with applicable law or respond to valid legal process, including from law enforcement or other government agencies;
2. protect our customers, for example to prevent spam or attempts to defraud users of the services, or to help prevent the loss of life or serious injury of anyone;
3. operate and maintain the security of our services, including to prevent or stop an attack on our computer systems or networks; or
4. protect the rights or property of Microsoft, including enforcing the terms governing the use of the services – however, if we receive information indicating that someone is using our services to traffic in stolen intellectual or physical property of Microsoft, we will not inspect a customer’s private content ourselves, but we may refer the matter to law enforcement.

[AZJoe]

Anybody tried Qube OS?
https://www.qubes-os.org/
http://thehackernews.com/2015/10/sec...ng-system.html

[helmuth_hubener]

Anybody tried Qube OS?
https://www.qubes-os.org/
http://thehackernews.com/2015/10/sec...ng-system.html

I have not.

Here's the thing.

Networked = compromised.

That's it. End of story.

Most everything in life has trade-offs. If you are used to one OS, if, say, your workflow incorporates Microsoft Word and Excel, etc., etc., is it worth it to you to learn a whole new way of doing the exact same things you already know how to do, possibly with less-satisfactory results?

Maybe not.

If you are super-concerned about privacy, there is only one way to do it, in my semi-qualified opinion: a computer that does not connect to the internet. At all.

And if you do that -- don't connect to the internet -- then you can use whatever OS you like and under which you are most productive. Then you can do all your interneting on a separate computer. Physically separate. Remember not to connect to the internet indirectly either, by shuffling USB drives back and forth (which are potentially -- in fact surprisingly often! -- infected with keyloggers, viruses, or who-knows-what).

If you are deadly serious about privacy, get a monitor less-readable from a distance. Look into Faraday cages. Build a room of your house into one, and put your non-networked computer there. This computer will be a laptop (ideally a ruggedized laptop) and you will only use it on battery power, as of course the power cord connection would circumvent the Faraday cage (plug in to recharge while not in use, in a different room). Use a soft-touch keyboard on a padded surface, so they can't read the vibrations from typing as easily. And, if possible, move to the country. Have a lot of land and a long driveway. That pretty well cuts out the whole van-parked-across-the-street attack vector.