Can privacy and Windows 10 go hand-in-hand?
Since launching two months ago, Windows 10 has been simultaneously praised for bringing the focus back to the desktop, and soundly criticized for potentially stepping over privacy bounds at every turn. Speaking to the latter, Microsoft's Terry Myerson says that from the very outset, WIndows 10 was designed with two straightforward privacy principles in mind.
The first is that "Windows 10 collects information so the product will work better for you", and the second is that" you are in control with the ability to determine what information" Microsoft collects.
Those statements alone aren't likely to be sufficient to appease Windows 10 users who are concerned about privacy, so Myerson goes on to explain things in a little more detail.
"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," Myerson states. "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."
Microsoft's attempting to walk a fine line here. On one hand, Myerson acknowledges that Windows 10 shares information about you with Microsoft, but on the other hand, he's saying it's largely anonymous and for the benefit of certain features.
What about Cortana?
"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,: Myserson explains.
Myerson also took a subtle shot at Google by saying that "unlike some other platforms," Windows 10 doesn't scan the contents of email or other forms of communication to deliver targeted ads.
The blog post isn't likely to sway users who believe Windows 10 is little more than a mass spying platform for Microsoft. However, it does at least open a dialog and confirm that Microsoft is of the negative privacy perception surrounding its OS.
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