Microsoft’s Windows 10 has received criticism for its lack of privacy protection. Windows 10 is the latest software update by Microsoft and is viewed as an improvement on Windows 8, but the privacy settings are causing concern.

The software is set to a default that gives permission to collect your data and usage information. Microsoft’s privacy policy has also come under fire as it applies to all that a user does on a Windows PC, not just online. The policy gives Microsoft permission to “access, disclose and preserve personal data, including content."

This allows Microsoft to access emails, folders and files, including cloud based files. The policy has been described as overly vague.

Microsoft's Response

Microsoft responded to privacy complaints through a blog post yesterday. Terry Myerson explained that the collection of data was to allow the product to work better. Responding to the complaints made about Cortana, a new digital assistant, Myerson said users can control what information Microsoft collects, but failed to address reports about Cortana sending data after it has been disabled.

Concerns were raised about the parental controls sending browsing history to parents, due to the risk of violating teenagers' privacy. The parental controls could put teenagers in danger and reveal sensitive information, such as their sexuality to parents. Myerson responded to this in the blog post. "As an example of direct response to feedback we’ve received, all Windows 10 customers will receive an upcoming update to family features, with default settings designed to be more appropriate for teenagers, compared to younger children."

In Association with

In order to set up Windows 10 with privacy settings that protect users, Windows 10 users are advised to avoid the ‘express install’ option for Windows and turn off all personal data settings as well as browser and protection, connectivity reporting, and automatic connection to hotspots. Users are then advised to go to privacy settings in Windows and adjust them too.