Microsoft has updated its console privacy policy every week before the new Xbox Series X and Series S start selling online.
The company said it’s enhancing privacy by not collecting voice search data or speech-to-text data, which it’ll let gamers share additional data as long as they prefer to do so.
All Xbox consoles will still collect required diagnostic data that helps Microsoft improve the Xbox experience and proper issues. The changes will enter effect immediately on the Xbox One and on launch day on the 2020 models.
Microsoft is close to starting selling its newest consoles, with Xbox Series X and Series S preorders set to start out on September 22nd. But before that happens, Microsoft wanted to let fans know that the Xbox will protect your privacy even better than before, with the corporate making several changes its Xbox data collection practices. Privacy continues to stay a hot topic for tech giants, including those who got to collect the maximum amount of user data as possible to enhance their products or sell ads. Microsoft is not any stranger to annoying privacy settings, but we’ve come an extended way from the first days of Windows 10, which slyly collected many user data in its initial versions. Microsoft is reminding Xbox users that it’s committed to increasing transparency and control when it involves the gathering of user data, and therefore the same principles will apply to the game on an Xbox.
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From now on, Microsoft plans to offer users more choice over the info that gets passed on to the corporate. The Xbox will tell you what kind of required diagnostic data is collected and the way Microsoft plans to use it to enhance your experience. Microsoft says it may benefit from extra data, but it’ll be up to the user to share “additional, optional diagnostic” info.
When users sign into their Xbox One consoles, they’ll receive a summary of the specified diagnostic data. Xbox Series X and Series S buyers will get an equivalent prompt once the consoles start shipping. Here’s what required diagnostic data will include:
Details of errors which may hamper the console’s ability to run games and apps
Details of console-setup success and failure to diagnose issues that might keep you from using the console
Details of software update success and failure, also as other console errors
Microsoft says the info helps keep the console and games up so far, maintains safety and security, and it helps the corporate troubleshoot problems.
The company also says that it’ll not collect data from voice search and speed-to-text conversion. “We have determined that this information isn’t what we’d like to accomplish that mission,” Microsoft says, implying it should never have collected that data to start with.
Should you wish to share more data with Microsoft, you’ll be ready to do so from the console’s settings. The optional data can include actions you’re taking while using the console, “enhanced error reporting,” and console performance data. These privacy settings are often changed at any time, and you’ll adjust these settings on your account or a family member’s account if you’ve got access. Here are the privacy menus you’ll need to search for to regulate data collection:
To change your own optional diagnostic data sharing settings:
From the house screen, press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Then attend Settings > Online safety & family > Privacy & online safety > Data collection.
To change a family member’s optional diagnostic data sharing, because the organizer of a Microsoft family group:
Go to Online safety & family > Family settings > Manage relations. Select a loved one, then select Privacy & online safety > Data collection.
To change the console’s optional diagnostic data sharing for times when nobody is signed in:
Go to Settings > System > Console info > Allow optional data collection.