The Microsoft logo appears at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington, DC. January 18, 2023
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“Noib” launched an action with the Austrian Data Protection Authority on behalf of two students pursuing their studies in Austria, to push it to conduct a “factual investigation and analysis of the data processed” by Microsoft.
Microsoft is “shirking its responsibilities” with regard to schools and universities, even though it “has no means of complying with transparency and information obligations the entity keeps violating students privacy accounts with ‘cookie’ retention, and leaving accounts without privacy.”
Noib also called for a financial fine to be imposed on Microsoft, given that “all children” across Europe are exposed to the same violations of their rights.
“Microsoft shirks its responsibilities”
De Graaf added that the information provided is “so vague” that “it is almost impossible for children and their parents to understand the extent of the data collection,” speaking of a “maze of documents.”
Because of Microsoft’s “enormous market power,” organizations have “no realistic way” to negotiate or modify terms.
In addition, Microsoft, through its Education 365 program, installed digital tracking devices and “cookies,” which allows it to provide targeted advertisements, despite the lack of consent of one of the complainants and his school, according to the non-governmental organization.
This practice, which is described as “extremely disturbing,” “is likely to affect hundreds of thousands of students and students” on the European continent, according to what expert Felix Mikulash confirmed, calling on the authorities to “finally respect the rights of minors.”
For its part, Microsoft confirmed that its software “complies with privacy legislation.”
A company spokesperson said in a statement: “We conscientiously protect the privacy of our young users, and will be happy to answer questions” posed by the Austrian regulatory body.
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