Privacy experience getting a boot in latest preview build

Jun 28, 2018 06:10 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has made it a priority to improve privacy in Windows 10, and after the company rolled out a so-called Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer to let users see what information it collects, it now ships an update to continue this effort.

With Windows 10 build 17704, Microsoft allows insiders to use the Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer to see Problem Reports, which include information on crashes and bugs that Microsoft collects from a computer. Users can access details like the application or component that created the bug report and the time when it was generated and sent to Microsoft.

Microsoft says that this update is living proof it’s committed to improving the privacy experience in Windows 10. The new feature should become available to all users with Windows 10 Redstone 5 in the fall.

“Our promise to upholding the highest standards of privacy will continue to be a top concern. When you use our products and services, we want you to feel confident that having great experiences and features does not mean sacrificing your privacy. It’s your device. You deserve to know what’s happening on it,” Microsoft explains.

The spying on users saga

The company has been accused of spying on users, collecting data without authorization, and not providing customers with straightforward means of tweaking the information sent to its servers. Microsoft now says that it’s fully committed to improving privacy based on user feedback, while at the same time putting customers in full control of their data.

“In making Windows 10 better and more secure, we will continue to make your privacy our top concern. This means providing you with the all the right tools to empower you to take control of your data. From prioritizing full transparency of diagnostic data to helping you take action about what you share, we are here to provide you with the power to know what’s on your device and who you share it with,” it explains.

Further privacy improvements could follow in the coming months ahead of the Redstone 5 update launch. This Windows 10 feature release should land in October, after previously being finalized in September.