Windows privacy control is about to get much better
Microsoft is giving Windows users a lot more control over their privacy, but will also make it clear what they give up when they restrict access to their data.
The company announced a pair of significant changes to its privacy management and settings on Tuesday. They’ll arrive as part of the Windows 10 Creators Update scheduled to ship this spring. However, Windows Insiders (those on the beta program) can download and try it now.
In a blog post explaining the changes, Microsoft unveiled a new web-based privacy dashboard where Microsoft service users will be able to see and manage the data the company has collected. From the page, Microsoft account holders will be able to clear their browser, Bing search and location activity. They’ll also be able to clear out whatever Cortana, Microsoft’s digital assistant, has saved from their interactions.
On the other side of the equation, Microsoft is trying to help people who install Windows with their data-sharing preferences, guiding them through virtually every data-sharing option, including location, speech recognition and diagnostics. (Microsoft also noted that some data-sharing options will appear differently, depending on which version of Windows 10 you’re using).
As you make each choice, you’ll see the impact it will make on your experience. If you turn off Relevant Ads, for example, “The number of ads you see won’t go down, but they may be less relevant to you.” Hard to say if that will make your browsing life better or worse.
For those already using Windows 10, they'll be prompted through notification to make data-sharing and privacy adjustments when the Creators Update ships later this year.
Lance Ulanoff was Chief Correspondent and Editor-at-Large of Mashable. Lance acted as a senior member of the editing team, with a focus on defining internal and curated opinion content. He also helped develop staff-wide alternative story-telling skills and implementation of social media tools during live events. Prior to joining Mashable in September 2011 Lance Ulanoff served as Editor in Chief of PCMag.com and Senior Vice President of Content for the Ziff Davis, Inc. While there, he guided the brand to a 100% digital existence and oversaw content strategy for all of Ziff Davis’ Web sites. His long-running column on PCMag.com earned him a Bronze award from the ASBPE. Winmag.com, HomePC.com and PCMag.com were all been honored under Lance’s guidance.He makes frequent appearances on national, international, and local news programs including Fox News, the Today Show, Good Morning America, Kelly and Michael, CNBC, CNN and the BBC.He has also offered commentary on National Public Radio and been interviewed by newspapers and radio stations around the country. Lance has been an invited guest speaker at numerous technology conferences including SXSW, Think Mobile, CEA Line Shows, Digital Life, RoboBusiness, RoboNexus, Business Foresight and Digital Media Wire’s Games and Mobile Forum.
