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were concerned with ad networks collecting information from your browsing history, then be aware
that Microsoft is taking it to the next level with Windows 10.

Data syncing with OneDrive

OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage system, and it
comes with the Windows 10 territory. You might think it’s
great because there is no additional sign up or installment
required and you can access it from any of your Microsoft
devices. But this new convenience comes with a price.

Every time you are signed into your machine with your
Microsoft account, your operating system immediately
syncs your settings and other data to company’s servers.
This includes browser behavior and history, as well as mobile hotspot and Wi-Fi network
passwords.

What are they doing with this information?

If you had the time to read through the long privacy policy and service agreement, you might get a
vague understanding of what Microsoft will do with your data, but little more. Besides, we all know
better than to take giant corporations for their word – they have their own interests to look after. The
real questions end up being, what can Microsoft do with this information? And ultimately, what are
they mostly likely to do with it?

Advertisers can “serve” you better!

People are getting used to free services online left and right, so these expectations dominate the
tech marketplace right now. Windows 10 doesn’t cost you any money, but it still comes at a price.

As Alec Meer of Rock Paper Shotgun points out, Microsoft is increasingly trying to compete with
Google through software and applications. But this model requires that, “money comes from
harvesting data and flogging it to advertisers and other organisations who want to know exactly
what we’re all up to online”.

Comply with big brother

Microsoft doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to surveillance state issues:

Finally, we will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the
content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a
good faith belief that doing so is necessary to: 1.comply with applicable law or respond to valid legal
process, including from law enforcement or other government agencies…

It’s important to note that while this may seem horrifying to some, it’s really not so different from any
other privacy agreement. Just take a look at this snippet from Apple’s privacy policy:

46 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine – September 2015 Edition
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