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Microsoft makes privacy changes to its Productivity Score software as concerns arise
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Published onDecember 1, 2020
published onDecember 1, 2020
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In this heightened work-from-home environment, some companies are looking for optimization techniques and tools to stave off would-be extemporaneous employee distractions and Microsoft’s Productivity Score would seem like an ideal solution.
However, the MPS tool has recently come under heavy criticism by privacy advocates claiming the software is a “full-fledged workplace surveillance tool.”
Privacy concerns arose when as Austria-based digital rights researcher Christie Wolfie determined that the MPS feature of Microsoft 365 is essentially a work monitoring tool. By utilizing scores across communication, content collaboration, network connectivity, meetings, Microsoft 365 App health, etc to rank employee productivity admins are privy to a ton of triangulating data about employee behavior that arguably crosses privacy thresholds.
Wolfie’s argument gathers further steam when examining the granular level of specificity MPS offers IT and Microsoft 365 Admins, down to how many days an individual employee has sent emails, used chat the chat, used ‘mentions’ in email, etc.
Employers/managers can analyze employee activities at the individual level (!), for example, the number of days an employee has been sending emails, using the chat, using ‘mentions’ in emails etc.
Microsoft promo video:https://t.co/68sCJaFs9f
Via Heise:https://t.co/hklmHtbF75pic.twitter.com/Fabgi6koTN
— Wolfie Christl (@WolfieChristl)November 24, 2020
Today, Microsoft attempted to fend off mounting concern over MPS withcorporate VP for Microsoft 365 Jared Spataro issuing a press releasestating upcoming changes to Productivity Score.
At Microsoft, we believe that data-driven insights are crucial to empowering people and organizations to achieve more. We also believe that privacy is a human right, and we’re deeply committed to the privacy of every person who uses our products. As part of that commitment, we’re making the following changes to Productivity Score:
Spataro also highlights that Microsoft 365 App health, network connectivity, and endpoint analytics – do not include user name as an order or precaution and employee privacy. Ultimately, the service looks to perform very similarly to its October debut, with the aforementioned changes. Microsoft continues to stress its data-driven modus operands as it places most of the responsibility on the employer and how much of its analytics gathering it utilizes and for what purposes.
Kareem Anderson
Networking & Security Specialist
Kareem is a journalist from the bay area, now living in Florida. His passion for technology and content creation drives are unmatched, driving him to create well-researched articles and incredible YouTube videos.
He is always on the lookout for everything new about Microsoft, focusing on making easy-to-understand content and breaking down complex topics related to networking, Azure, cloud computing, and security.
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Kareem Anderson
Networking & Security Specialist
He is a journalist from the bay area, now living in Florida. He breaks down complex topics related to networking, Azure, cloud computing, and security
