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With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Users claim Microsoft still collects activity history despite being disabled

3 min. read

Updated onJuly 31, 2021

updated onJuly 31, 2021

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Recent comments onRedditwould suggest that Microsoft is still not playing the game when it comes tocollecting data on its users. This is a clear breach not just of Microsoft’s own guidelines, but almost certainly a breach of various laws, especiallyGDPR.

The Backstory

When Microsoft releasedWindows 10, there was anoutcryafter it was discovered that it was collecting and sharing the activity of its users. While Microsoft stated that thedatawas only being used to help it improve theWindows 10experience, this was not enough of a reason to justify it.

Microsoft was forced to back down and introducednew privacy settingsthat would allowusersto opt out (more or less) if they didn’t want theirdataused by Microsoft. Sadly forWindows 10users, and hopefully for Microsoft, this has not happened.

What’s the problem?

On the December 10th, 2018, a redditor commented that, “I have disabled activity history completely yet some applications are still showing on theprivacydashboard. (It’s not just UWP apps either). How do I stop this?”

It appears that, even thoughuserscan go to Settings > Privacy > Activity History > uncheck “Let Windows synchronise my activities from this PC to the cloud”, Microsoft is still getting ourdata.

How to get round this issue

In case you want to be secure while surfing the internet, you will need to get a full-dedicated tool to secure your network.Install now Cyberghost VPNand secure yourself. It protects your PC from attacks while browsing, masks your IP address and blocks all unwanted access.

While one would assume that by selecting the settings inWindows 10would protect yourdata, it appears that the best way to make sure is to head over to tenforums and use a Registry file to prevent Microsoft from collectinguserdata.

Why this is important

This is yet another example of how tech companies seem to think that they are above the law. GDPR clearly states that tech companies can only collect and use yourdataif you have given your consent.

True, GDPR does not have to be followed if your company website is only being accessed by people in non-European Union countries, but how likely is that? If a website is being accessed byusersin the EU, then the company must abide by GDPR rules, no matter where the company itself is based.

Wrapping it all up

This is not rocket surgery. Time and time again, we are finding out that we are sharing more information with tech companies, when we have not expressly given our permission for them to collect that information.

The law is clear and it would be disingenuous at best for Microsoft to claim that this was merely a misunderstanding, or even worse, that is is the fault ofWindows 10users.

Here is my twopenneth worth. The default setting on Widows 10 should be that absolutely none of yourdatais shared with Microsoft. And that the only way Microsoft can use yourdatais if you physically tick the box saying they can.

What are your thoughts on this? Are you okay with the idea of Microsoft using yourdatato improveWindows 10? Let us know your thoughts below.

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Users claim Microsoft still collects activity history despite being disabled#

The Backstory#

What’s the problem?#

How to get round this issue#

Why this is important#

Wrapping it all up#