The concern has been raised by 28 authorities in the EU. Microsoft has already made concessions within Windows 10, but not enough to appease some watchdogs. Authorities remain worried about the default installation settings on the platform. This concern has been ongoing for some time, specifically because the process removes user choice. The Article 29 Working Party has asked Microsoft for more explanation to find out how the company processes user data. “In light of the above, which are separate to the results of ongoing inquiries at a national level, even considering the proposed changes to Windows 10, the Working Party remains concerned about the level of protection of users’ personal data,” the group said in a statement. It is worth noting that the EU says Article 29 Working Party is an independent group. It advises the commission, but its views on Windows 10 are its own and not those of the commission. This means Microsoft is not being pressed by the EU itself. Whether Microsoft will even bother to respond to the concerns remains to be seen.
European Tussle
The EU can be notoriously tough when it comes to data privacy. Microsoft crossed paths with authorities in the country during 2016, most notably with seeking approval for its $26 billion LinkedIn acquisition. After making several concessions, the purchase was eventually given a green light. In December, a leaked privacy regulation suggested the EU will start bringing tougher rules to Microsoft. Last month, authorities announced plans to regulate messaging services like Skype and WhatsApp like carriers. In terms of Windows 10, Microsoft agreed to change the platform to comply with Swiss law. The company could have faced court action if it did not tweak data processing on the platform.
