The firm publishes list of details collected at Basic level
Microsoft has just revealed the information it collects from Windows 10 computers, as part of the company’s efforts to address privacy complaints and comply with requirements from European watchdogs who expressed concerns over the lack of transparency regarding telemetry tasks.
Windows boss Terry Myerson explains that Microsoft was particularly focused on reducing the amount of data collected from Windows 10 devices configured to use the Basic telemetry level, pointing out that in the Creators Update, the number of events and the volume of data submitted to the company is substantially smaller.
A long list of events published on TechNet reveals every bit of data that Windows 10 sends to Microsoft when using the Basic setting, and this includes information like device properties, peripherals, and capabilities, network, app usage, user ID, OS information (name, version, build), update details, voice, inking and typing, installed applications, and local search activity.
New privacy controls in Windows 10 Creators Update
You can check out the full list on TechNet, and the data is grouped in events. Every event generates data that is then submitted to the company anonymously, so no identification information is collected and the data is securely stored on Microsoft’s servers.
“For the first time, we have published a complete list of the diagnostic data collected at the Basic level. Individual data points that relate to a specific item or event are collected together and called Events. These are further organized into diagnostic areas. We are also providing a detailed summary of the data we collect from users at both Basic and Full levels of diagnostics,” Terry Myerson explains.
Myerson goes on to point out that Microsoft collects only information that it needs to “keep your Windows 10 device secure and up to date,” adding that those who go for the Full telemetry level can help the company improve not only their computers, but everyone else’s as well.
Windows 10 Creators Update also introduces new privacy controls and users updating from the Anniversary Update will see them once the install comes to an end.
Source: This Is the Data Microsoft Collects from Your Windows 10 PC
