The way Microsoft gathers diagnostic information from Windows 10 has often stirred controversy. Questions have been asked over privacy, such as how much information Microsoft takes and how much users know about.
Of course, Microsoft says the information it takes is necessary for Windows 10 to be a stable platform. Maybe, but it’s reasonable to say the company has never quite perfected the diagnostics and telemetry system.
For enterprise customers, Microsoft wants to expand the number of options available for managing diagnostics. Currently, there are two options available. Firstly, organizations could choose to allow Microsoft to control all aspects of telemetry. This would give Microsoft free reign to collect whatever data it wanted.
The second option allows companies to turn off diagnostics entirely in Windows 10. Naturally, this means Microsoft cannot take any data from the platform.
Third Option
With an upcoming third option, Microsoft wants to add more nuance. Specifically, users will not need to decide between two extremes. Instead, they will be able to customize what data they allow Microsoft to see and what data remains private.
“Customers will have a third option that allows them to be the controller for their Windows 10 diagnostic data, while still benefiting from the purposes that this data serves, such as quality of updates and device drivers. Under this approach, Microsoft will act as a data processor, processing Windows diagnostic data on behalf of the controller.”
Currently in preview, Microsoft says the feature will bring more openness between enterprise customers and Microsoft.
“This new option will enable customers to use familiar tools to manage, export, or delete data to help them meet their compliance obligations. For example, using the Microsoft Azure portal, customers will have the means to respond to their own users’ requests, such as delete and export diagnostic data. Admins can easily add – or remove – Windows devices to the service using group policy or mobile device management (MDM),” Microsoft says.
