Although Microsoft has already announced a series of changes in the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update that will give the end user more control over the data the company collects, Europe seems to be worried.
A group called the Article 29 Working Party, made up of members representing 28 privacy organizations on the Old Continent, has asked Microsoft to provide Windows 10 users with more information about how it processes the data it collects from their computers.
"Based on the results of ongoing nationwide investigations, and considering the proposed changes to Windows 10, the working group remains concerned about the level of protection of users' personal data," the group said in a statement, according to a Reuters report.
The privacy changes Microsoft is introducing with the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update include a new setup experience that will allow users to access more settings, such as location, speech recognition, and diagnostics.
Additionally, Redmond has mentioned tweaks to Windows 10's telemetry settings, explaining that users will be able to change everything at a later time according to their preferences.
But the European privacy watchdog says Microsoft should explain how it uses the data it collects from its users, as there are concerns that the information could be shared with third parties for advertising purposes.
"Microsoft should clearly explain what kind of personal data is being processed and for what purposes. Without this information, our consent will not be valid," the EU team said.
Microsoft has not yet issued a statement on this matter, but if it does, we will probably hear the same trope:
“Microsoft respects the privacy of every user, blah blah blah, and that data collection is necessary for the proper functioning of Windows.” Besides, who can control it? We are always talking about a closed-source operating system, so no one knows exactly what leaves your computer.
Of course, once again, the company will state that third parties do not have access to the data it collects.
