14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 Preview is still work in progress, and even though Microsoft said it loud and clear from the very beginning that it wanted to use it to collect feedback, the whole world was shocked to hear that this testing version of the OS would actually be used to get data and statistics from computers running it.
Microsoft’s Windows 10 Preview privacy policy revealed that the operating system would collect all kinds of data, including keystrokes and information regarding files stored on the local drives of a PC.
Of course, for many this was pretty much a thing to be expected given the fact that Windows 10 Preview is here with the sole reason of testing and to allow people to see what’s new, but the company was obviously accused of violating privacy and collecting more data than it should.
In a statement released today, the company gives a pretty vague answer but explains that users should actually expect Windows 10 Preview to provide access to some details because it’s still in development stage and it was released with the goal of getting feedback from testers.
“It’s just an optional product”
Microsoft puts the emphasis on the opt-in aspect of Windows 10 Preview, explaining that no one is forced to deploy the product unless they want to.
Of course, the company reiterates the fact that Windows 10 Preview is here to be tested by experienced users and shouldn’t be installed on main computers hosting critical data.
Here’s Microsoft’s statement in full:
“With Windows 10, we're kicking off the largest ever open collaborative development effort that will change the way we build and deliver Windows. Users who join the Windows Insider Program and opt-in to the Windows 10 Technical Preview are choosing to provide data and feedback that will help shape the best Windows experience for our customers.”
“As always, we remain committed to helping protect our customers’ personal information and ensuring safeguards are in place for the collection and storing of that data. As we get closer to a final product, we will continue to share information through our terms of service and privacy statement about how customer data is collected and used, as well as what choices and controls are available.”
Unfortunately for Microsoft, people still don’t get the idea behind a program that’s still in development, and we’ve already heard about a lot of users out there who are running Windows 10 Preview as their everyday operating system.