Microsoft has been taking extra steps to prove to us that our online privacy is much more of a concern to them than other companies.
To mark Data Privacy Day 2013, which is held on January 28th, Microsoft has announced results ahead of time about a new company-commissioned survey by Ipsos Public Affairs of over 1,000 people on the subject of online privacy to better understand their users’ expectations. The results of this new research show:
- 45 percent of respondents said they feel they have little or no control over the personal information companies gather about them while they are browsing the Web or using online services, such as photo-sharing, travel or gaming.
- Only four in 10 said they feel they totally or mostly understand how to protect their online privacy.
- An equal number of people (39 percent) said they are turning to friends and family, as well as privacy statements, as their top source for privacy information.
- A third of those surveyed (32 percent) said they are paying attention to companies’ privacy reputations, track records, and policies when choosing which websites to visit or services to use.
Microsoft has launched a new website with information on how Microsoft handles these features in IE10, Bing, Windows Phone 8 and Xbox, and Microsoft’s Personal Data Dashboard, which is a central location for users to choose and better manage how their personal information is used online. They have also created a new video series called “Privacy in Action”, illustrating these privacy options. These videos will be available at microsoft.com/yourprivacy.
“As online activities have become a valuable part of daily life, privacy is incredibly important. At Microsoft, we strive to help our customers manage their personal information online by providing easy-to-understand privacy policies, settings and guidance. We take seriously our responsibility to customers by investing in a comprehensive and dynamic privacy program that implements our policies and delivers privacy innovations to our customers.”- Brendon Lynch, chief privacy officer, Microsoft
Source: The Official Microsoft Blog
