Microsoft’s decision follows an investigation by the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), which looked into contracts the company holds with the European Commission and other EU organizations. According to the investigation, Microsoft is not properly protecting the data it gathers. In response, the Redmond company has updated its Online Services Terms (OST). Specifically, the new terms will “reflect contractual changes” that were agreed with the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security. The Dutch government organization is among the bodies that uses Microsoft’s cloud technology. With the updated OST, customers will have clearer understanding of how their data is used by Microsoft. Julie Brill, Corporate Vice President for Global Privacy and Regulatory Affairs at Microsoft, said: “We remain committed to listening closely to our customers’ needs and concerns regarding privacy. Whenever customer questions arise, we stand ready to focus our engineering, legal and business resources on implementing measures that our customers require. At Microsoft, this is part of our mission to empower every individual and organization on the planet to achieve more.”
European Adjustments
Dutch DPA, Autoriteir Persoongegevens, previously said Microsoft is failing to tell Windows 10 Home and Pro customers which data the platform collects. In 2018, Dutch regulatory pointed to eight privacy issues in Office 2016 and Office 365 ProPlus. Microsoft, like other major tech companies, has found it difficult to adjust to the EU’s strengthening regulations. However, the company has largely been praised for complying with new laws and making efforts to make changes when not compliant. Such compliance has helped Microsoft avoid the major fines and large-scale ivestigations that have landed on the doorsteps of Apple and Google.
