The Windows 10 just released and OS fans will start upgrading if they haven't already. But there is a new Privacy Policy Personal Data and Services from Microsoft that you probably need to know before installing the new operating system.
The new policies will come into force by 1 in August and there are some worrying paragraphs for those who are interested in their personal data security.
The new Microsoft Privacy Statement is 45 pages. Microsoft's Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Horacio Gutierrez said that they are "simple terms and policies that people can clearly understand."
The reality is, however, that you will probably not read it.
Just like a bunch of other companies, Microsoft with the new Windows 10 is trying to collect as much data as it can. The sure thing is that your data will not stay on your computer.
But let's see in detail, what Microsoft is "doing" with Windows 10.
Synchronize data by default
When you log in to Windows with your Microsoft account, your operating system will immediately synchronize your settings and data to the company's servers. This includes your browser history, favorites and websites you've visited, mobile hotspot passwords and Wi-Fi, network names, and passwords.
Can you disable some of the settings but should not be turned off by default? Many users will not disable them because they simply do not know it.
Cortana knows very well what you are doing
The service is not yet operational in Greece. But if at any time it works and you activate it, the virtual assistant will immediately begin collecting data:
Η Microsoft συλλέγει και χρησιμοποιεί διάφορα δεδομένα, όπως την τοποθεσία της συσκευής σας, τα δεδομένα από το ημερολόγιο σας, τις εφαρμογές που χρησιμοποιείτε, τα δεδομένα από τα ηλεκτρονικά ταχυδρομεία και τα messages text, where they're calling you from, your contacts and how often you interact with your device.
Cortana digital assistant learns about you by collecting data about how you use your device and others services from Microsoft, such as your music, notification settings, whether the lock screen is on, what you see in shopping and what you buy, your browsing history, Bing searches, and more.
Also note that because Cortana analyzes speech data, Microsoft in Windows 10 collects “your voice, your first and last name, recent events in your calendar, the names of your appointments, and information about your your contacts with their names and nicknames. ”
Whatever happens, Microsoft knows it
The updated terms also state that Microsoft will collect information "from you and your devices, including, for example, app usage data for applications running Windows10 and data from the networks you connect to."
Advertisers will know exactly who you are
Windows 10 10 creates a unique ad ID for each user on each device. This can be used by developers and ad networks that can precisely target your profile. Again, you can disable this option in the settings, but you need to know where to look:
Your encryption key is within OneDrive
It's not necessarily bad, but something that you need to know. When you use encryption on the device, Windows 10 automatically encrypts the installed drive and creates a BitLocker recovery key. This is stored in your OneDrive account.
Microsoft may disclose your data when needed
Perhaps it is the most worrying part of Microsoft's new privacy policy:
We will have access to, disclose and retain personal data, including your content (such as your e-mail, other private communications, or files in private folders), in good faith, as this is necessary to protect our customers and enforce our terms of service.
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 protect our customers or enforce the terms governing the use of the services.
After that you can proceed with the installation of Windows…
Information from TNW
