Microsoft recently revealed the information it collects from Windows 10 computers. It is a part of the company’s efforts to address privacy complaints and adhere to requirements from European watchdogs who expressed concerns over the lack of transparency regarding telemetry tasks.
According to Windows chief Terry Myerson, Microsoft has 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 single bit of data that Windows 10 sends to Microsoft when using the Basic setting. The list 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.
Interested people can check out the full list on Technet, and the data is grouped into events. Every event generates data that is 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 also points out the fact that Microsoft collects only information that it needs to “keep your Windows 10 device secure and up to date,” also 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.
The latest Windows 10 Creators Update also introduces new privacy controls and users updating from the Anniversary Update will see them once the installation is finished.
