Don’t want Microsoft tracking you online and collecting data on your computing habits? Then you probably shouldn’t install the Windows 10 Technical Preview
The Internet was up in arms on Monday over concerns about the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy of Microsoft’s newly released, not-even-beta-yet OS, with some site’s going as far as to claim that Windows 10 comes with a “built-in keylogger” to watch users’ every move.
Turns out these rumors were correct, but according to Microsoft they should have known about the data collection from the beginning, because they ‘agreed to it’.
“With Windows 10, we’re kicking off the largest ever open collaborative development effort that will change the way we build and deliver Windows,” a Redmond spokesperson told El Reg in an emailed statement. “Users who join the Windows Insider Program and opt-in to the Windows 10 Technical Preview are choosing to provide data and feedback that will help shape the best Windows experience for our customers.”
According to the Windows Insider Program’s Terms of Use, “The purpose of the Program is to … provide Microsoft with feedback and detailed usage data about all activities occurring on those devices so that Microsoft and its partners can improve their products and services.”
That explicitly includes “personal information,” the terms go on to say, and Microsoft might even contact program members with additional information that is personalized just for them.
And then there’s this gem, which is the one that got everyone moaning about keyloggers:
[When you] enter text, we may collect typed characters and use them for purposes such as improving autocomplete and spellcheck features.