Microsoft’s data collection practices are under scrutiny, as a recent report suggests the Outlook for Windows app might be sharing more user information than expected. With this app now default on Windows 11, the impact could be widespread. ProtonMail, a competitor to Outlook, discovered that user data collected includes emails, contacts, browsing history, and potentially location data. They even labeled Outlook for Windows as “a surveillance tool for targeted advertising.” Users are automatically opted in to share their data with hundreds of third parties, mainly for advertising. Opting out involves a manual process for each of the 772 companies, making it cumbersome for users. This discovery raises concerns about user privacy, especially for those who use Outlook for daily communication and work-related tasks.
Microsoft is no stranger to data privacy issues, and recent reports indicate that Outlook for Windows might be playing a part in it. Last year, concerns were raised about Windows 11 collecting and sending data even before users connected to the internet. This time, ProtonMail, a direct competitor of Microsoft’s email services, has shed light on data collection practices by Outlook for Windows, labelling it as “a surveillance tool for targeted advertising.”
However, it’s crucial to consider ProtonMail’s position as a privacy-focused service competing with Microsoft. Their motive to criticise Outlook for Windows should be taken
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