Microsoft Looking at a Possible $4 Billion Fine In New Windows 10 Privacy Investigation

Microsoft is no novice when it comes to privacy investigations. But the latest one being carried out in the Eu past the Dutch Data Protection Bureau (DPA) could put the Windows maker in a lot of trouble. Microsoft is collecting data from Windows 10 users remotely in a potential privacy breach, the agency has said.

"Microsoft has complied with the agreements fabricated," the DPA said. "However, the check also brought to light that Microsoft is remotely collecting other data from users. Equally a issue, Microsoft is still potentially in breach of privacy rules."

Microsoft is at present beingness investigated by the Irish Data Protection Committee

Reuters reported that the Dutch watchdog has forwarded its findings to its counterpart in Ireland, where Microsoft is headquartered.

"The DPC has had preliminary engagement with Microsoft and, with the assistance of the Dutch authority, nosotros will shortly be engaging further with Microsoft to seek substantive responses on the concerns raised," the Irish Data Protection Committee (DPC) said.

The regulators said that the visitor can process personal data where consent has been received in the right style, however, the software maker also collects diagnostic and non-diagnostic data.

"We'd like to know if it is necessary to collect the non-diagnostic data and if users are well informed about this," the watchdogs said.

The Irish DPC will now investigate the matter and, if found guilty, the company could face a fine of over $iv billion since GDPR allows penalties of upwards to iv% of a company's almanac global turnover.

In response, Microsoft has said that it has introduced new privacy controls to Windows x. While that is true, many Windows x users are yet wary of the company'southward information collection practices. The privacy activists believe that the visitor doesn't receive consent in the right manner and encourages users to give information technology consent. Every bit TechCrunch noted the Windows maker uses Cortana to push users into giving consent, including prompts that say "if you lot don't concur, y'know, no Windows!"

Microsoft's argument on the latest Windows x privacy investigation:

The Dutch information protection authorisation has in the past brought data protection concerns to our attending, which related to the consumer versions of Windows 10, Windows 10 Dwelling house and Pro. We will work with the Irish Information Protection Commission to acquire about any farther questions or concerns it may have, and to accost any farther questions and concerns every bit quickly as possible.

Microsoft is committed to protecting our customers' privacy and putting them in command of their information. Over recent years, in close coordination with the Dutch data protection dominance, we have introduced a number of new privacy features to provide articulate privacy choices and easy-to-use tools for our private and small-scale business users of Windows x. Nosotros welcome the opportunity to amend fifty-fifty more than the tools and choices we offer to these terminate users.

Earlier: Contractors Listening to Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, & Skype Sound – Apple tree & Google Suspend Their Programs Simply Windows Maker Refuses to Back Down

Source: https://wccftech.com/microsoft-billion-fine-windows-10-privacy-investigation/

Posted by: haltertrachattee1941.blogspot.com

Share this post