Microsoft Accused of Using Word and Excel Data to Train AI Model
Microsoft is facing criticism for a feature in its popular Office suite, Word and Excel, that may be collecting user data for AI development without explicit consent. The feature, known as “Connected Experiences,” is enabled by default and gathers data from documents for unspecified purposes.
This revelation comes from cybersecurity expert @nixCraft, who highlighted the lack of transparency surrounding Connected Experiences. While Microsoft acknowledges the feature analyzes user content, it doesn’t explicitly state its use in training AI models.
Heads up: Microsoft Office, like many companies in recent months, has slyly turned on an “opt-out” feature that scrapes your Word and Excel documents to train its internal AI systems. This setting is turned on by default, and you have to manually uncheck a box in order to opt… pic.twitter.com/wUfhBjcMOR
— nixCraft 🐧 (@nixcraft) November 24, 2024
Concerns for Creators and Businesses
The biggest worry is the potential misuse of user-generated content. Sensitive information, copyrighted material, and even business plans could be unknowingly included in Microsoft’s AI training data. This is particularly concerning for creators and businesses that rely on Word and Excel for confidential projects.
Deactivating Connected Experiences: A Labyrinthine Task
Making matters worse, opting out of Connected Experiences is a convoluted process. Users need to navigate through seven layers of menus within the Trust Center settings to find the inconspicuous checkbox for “Turn on optional connected experiences.”
Microsoft’s Stance Remains Unclear
While Microsoft hasn’t addressed the data collection concerns, a clause in their Services Agreement grants them the right to use user content “to improve Microsoft products and services.” This ambiguity leaves users questioning whether their data is being used beyond the stated purpose of “enhancing collaboration.”
Is This the New Industry Standard?
Microsoft is not alone in this practice. Many tech companies collect user data to train AI models. However, the lack of transparency and the opt-out approach raises ethical concerns.
What Can You Do?
If you’re concerned about your data privacy within Microsoft Office, it’s crucial to disable Connected Experiences. However, a more user-friendly opt-in approach from Microsoft would be ideal to ensure transparency and user control over their information.
