Privacy has always been one sensitive issue when it comes to the digital world. It’s not exactly something that people take lightly. In fact, experts that sell electronics admit that most of their customers spend so much on their gadgets’ security to ensure that what they want to keep private remains private.
This is why it is no wonder at all that people are freaking out over the news that Microsoft has been
violating the privacy rights of users the moment they introduced Windows 10.
Microsoft collects more data from users
Looking at the issue from all angles, it is safe to say that the privacy concerns are coming from the fact that Microsoft is collecting more data from their users than they used to on previous operating systems.
Here’s why it’s happening:
- The data is used by Cortana. Cortana is Microsoft’s version of Siri, a personal digital assistant that delivers information and actions based on your needs. For Cortana to work efficiently though, it also has to understand how its user’s mind works. And for that to happen, it has to keep track of every single move that the user makes. Location, requests, activity – all these and more are closely tracked by Microsoft, data that is routed through Microsoft servers. Why do they need all this? Well, you can’t expect a personal assistant not to know anything about you, right? Especially for a digital assistant like this, it’s supposed to have every possible information it can use to make the service as accurate and as personalized as possible.
- The data is used by Windows Modern apps. Windows Modern apps, also known as Universal apps, also need to track data such as location, camera usage, typing habits, and a lot more to give you accurate information when using your gadgets. When you use OneNote for example, it stores words that you frequently use into its own dictionary.
Seeing how important your data actually is in a lot of apps that you use, it’s now a matter of sacrifice. Would you rather withhold your information and continue enjoying 100% privacy, or would you rather make the most out of your new OS and trust Microsoft that your data will be solely for their use?
Microsoft promises that data is confidential
As for Microsoft, they do promise that all the data they collect is confidential, and will only be used within their system. The sole exception to the rule is in case law enforcement demands for your data to be shared with them.
From here, it would all be a matter of experience and gut feel. For experienced Microsoft users, it’s a matter of weighing the odds and looking at the pros and cons of continuing to use Windows 10.
Remember that there are also privacy settings that would allow you to protect your privacy as you use Microsoft’s newer services. A lot of Microsoft supporters also say that nothing is really private anymore.
After all, you post your whereabouts and your activities on social media, right? So how different would it be if a tech giant like Microsoft were to use the same data to enhance your user experience? Whether these arguments are valid or not would be up to you.
