Microsoft is again facing fire from the Dutch Data Protection Authority due to its telemetry data collection process on Windows 10.
Back in 2017, the Dutch DPA investigated the Windows 10 Home and Pro editions. It found out that some aspects of Windows 10’s telemetry process doesn’t align with the local laws and infringes users’ privacy.
Following this, the Windows-maker made some changes to how it collects data on Windows 10, which were put in place back in April 2018.
Now, during the follow-up check (via TechCrunch), the Dutch DPA acknowledges that the changes made back then are concrete and comply with the agreements. But it believes that the company may still be breaking some laws and breaching privacy as it’s “remotely collecting other data from the users.”
As a part of the telemetry data collection, Microsoft sources both diagnostic and non-diagnostic information from a user’s machine. The Dutch privacy watchdog says it wanted to know if collecting non-diagnostic data is necessary.
Since the 2017 investigation, the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) has been implemented by the European Union (EU). Under the law, the EU has assigned the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) as the lead privacy regulator for Microsoft.
As a result, the Dutch DPA has asked Irish DPC to take charge of the further investigation and see if Microsoft is still doing something wrong.
Microsoft told TechCrunch that they’ll work with the Irish DPC to address any further questions and make efforts to “improve even more the tools and choices” they provide to the end-users.
According to the Dutch agency, Microsoft can process personal data “if the consent has been given in the correct way.” It advises users to pay “close attention to privacy settings when installing and using Windows software.
In fact, it should be the case with every software you use. You should always give a second look to what button you’re pressing. Mostly after the GDPR and Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica fiasco, various tech companies have started to make their products and services more transparent. But still, there is a long road to go.
Also Read: Microsoft: Multi-Factor Authentication Is 99.9% Effective Than Passwords
