BRUSSELS: European Union data protection watchdogs said on
Monday they were still concerned about the privacy settings of
Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system despite the U.S. company
announcing changes to the installation process.
The watchdogs, a group made up of the EU's 28 authorities responsible
for enforcing data protection law, wrote to Microsoft last year
expressing concerns about the default installation settings of Windows
10 and users' apparent lack of control over the company's processing of
their data.
The group - referred to as the Article 29 Working Party -asked for
more explanation of Microsoft's processing of personal data for various
purposes, including advertising.
"In light of the above, which are separate to the results of ongoing
inquiries at a national level, even considering the proposed changes to
Windows 10, the Working Party remains concerned about the level of
protection of users’ personal data," the group said in a statement which
also acknowledged Microsoft's willingness to cooperate.
Microsoft was not immediately available to comment.
A number of national authorities have already begun enquiries into
Windows 10, including France which in July ordered Microsoft to stop
collecting excessive user data.
The EU privacy group said that despite a new installation screen
presenting users with five options to limit or switch off Microsoft's
processing of their data, it was not clear to what extent users would be
informed about the specific data being collected.
Microsoft uses data collected through Windows 10 for different
purposes, including advertising, the group said in its statement said.
"Microsoft should clearly explain what kinds of personal data are
processed for what purposes. Without such information, consent cannot be
informed, and therefore, not valid."
(Reporting by Julia Fioretti, editing by Philip Blenkinsop and Jane Merriman)
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