Privacy and our customers
When Microsoft, other technology companies, and most governmental bodies talk about privacy, they are referring to the collection and use of personal data (such as name, age, addresses, hobbies, and so on). This approach is in keeping with the privacy regulations of the European Union (EU) as well as the Fair Information Practice Principles of the Federal Trade Commission. To view the Fair Information Practice Principles, visit the following Federal Trade Commission Web site:http://www.ftc.gov/reports/privacy3/fairinfo.htm (http://www.ftc.gov/reports/privacy3/fairinfo.htm)
With the Application Error Reporting tool, the only data that is initially collected is technical data about the state of the program and your computer when the crash occurred. Your document (or any data contained in it) is not intentionally sent with the other report information. To ensure further security, the data that is collected is transmitted via a secure connection and is kept confidential and anonymous in a limited-access database.In some cases, Microsoft may need to collect additional data, including user documents, in order to continue research on correcting a specific problem. However, before any data is collected, a message appears that clearly informs you about what data Microsoft needs to upload and allows you to cancel the transmission before any additional data is collected.
User notification and consent
One of the goals of Application Error Reporting is to clearly notify you any time information is being collected. In the Application Error Reporting dialog box, you are notified that the program will close and a report is being generated about the problem. At this point, you can choose to view the technical information contained in the report. You can then choose whether to send the report information to Microsoft. The dialog box also states that if you choose to send the application crash information, the information will be kept strictly confidential and private.Data collection, use, and protection
You may ask, "Why do companies collect personal information?" Microsoft does this for several reasons:| • | Personalization: Many Web sites collect user information to better personalize their sites for each user. Among the best examples of this is the Microsoft Web site (http://www.microsoft.com (http://www.microsoft.com)), which uses the personal information you type in to better customize itself for you. |
| • | Business Model: Many sites ask users for personal information so that advertisers can better personalize the goods and services shown to customers. In return, customers receive free content and services. For example, the Microsoft MSN Web site (http://www.msn.com/ (http://www.microsoft.com/) offers free e-mail, Web sites, chats, bulletin boards, and a variety of other services to its customers. In return, those customers are exposed to products and services more tailored to their individual interests. |
| • | Product Communication: Many companies, especially those that offer e-products or software products, collect personal information so that you can be notified of updates, new releases, or upgrades. Application Error Reporting offers you a special version of those services: If you choose to send the report, the Application Error Reporting tool checks to see whether any fixes, service packs, or product upgrades are available that may help with the problem you are having. If information is available that may be helpful, your browser takes you to that Web site when you click the More Information link on the Thank You dialog box that appears when your report is sent. Note If you do not want to have the technical data sent to Microsoft, please click the Don't Send button. |
