What does Microsoft do with my contacts list?

Please excuse me, Hans.  I'm a tad confused.

Firstly, I clicked on your link and then receieved this page:

Apps and services you've given access               

. . . .  You haven't given access to any apps or services yet. Once you do, they'll show up here.

Now that doesn't surprise me, as I stated, I just don't allow any access to anything.  Just going through the list to get everyone's permission for a third-party to see their information would take me way too long.

But that isn't what has me confused. 

When you have time, Hans, could you explain what the "two additional access permissions" are?

Maybe there is documentation on that?  We'd be talking three times I have to give anyone, or any company, permission to view my address book or contacts list, or such like that?

Would appreciate the help.

And thank you for the help you've already provided.

I'd click the <Found this helpful> button on a lot of posts in this discussion, but I haven't yet briefed myself on whether that sticks the posts up at the top of the first page, as I have seen in some other discussions that came up during other research.

Okay, just taking this maybe at the wrong angle, now lets just say, you have this application... kinda like an address book, lets just call it an address book to keep it simple, and then lets just say you want to be able to keep tabs on the ability to communicate with contacts in this address book, which in this case would contact contacts that are facebook friends, people in yahoo contacts, on AOL, ones that you also have collected though some other sources. Then lets just say you want this address book to contain all these contacts, in one neat place, and if they IM you or email you etc, to be able to go "hey joe, glad I was able to see your message because my computer has the ability to identify you. that is what you would be referring to, just like icloud, gmail, etc, but without the selling of information unless you OPT into it, which usually comes with a box that clearly states, I want such and such to be able to email me and provide me with things of interest by similar companies. They just put that there so you are aware when you go to write an email in the integrated program or ask Cortana to call a friend on Skype, that there is where the data on your own computer is coming from. Or better yet, when you have a windows phone, tablet, etc and you use the same Microsoft profile, that it brings over settings within your initial setup and syncs them. This is allowing your computer and your personal profile to use that data. Same notifications that came across when installing any apps in windows 8, but because people who REFUSE TO READ THE EULA or anything on the technology, Microsoft is basically saying... HEY YOU, MR and MRS. Click happy, this is what data that program will have access to you on your computer, what will be managed and maintained across your profile. Please Please Please, just read the boxes. If its a third party application it will notify you on what this data is being used for. They aren't trying to hunt you down or call your friends. I mean we are in the age of connected where you can google yourself and find 90% of your daily digital footprint, Microsoft if they were bent on collecting this data and selling it off they wouldn't have to prompt you. Again, This is just to let you, the user know that Facebook contacts will be paired up with existing information such as Linked In to build a profile for your contacts on your computer so if you are calling, messaging, emailing, etc, you aren't having to go through 500 different applications to do so because they are all interconnected to your personal profile, and that the data being used on your PC is being used to make your life easier. The ones that you should worry about are things like if you are installing a game, or facebook app, or something that has no need having control over your camera, microphone, etc wanting access to that, in which under the action center, you can adjust what services are accessing what. Microsoft has fallen behind because of users unwillingness for change and corporations need to stick with familiarity. The last thing that they are wanting to do seeing that they are Hell bent on protecting you from hackers and even government spying is to add you to a revolving email list of solicitation.  Maybe everyone should go back to this page and read the contents. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-faq-right-for-me-pc?ocid=tp2_site_faq_down. Better yet...

"Things to keep in mind

Unexpected PC crashes could damage or even delete your files, so you should back up everything. Some printers and other hardware might not work, and some software might not install or work correctly, including antivirus or security programs. You might also have trouble connecting to home or corporate networks.

Some installed apps might not yet work as expected or might not be available in your country or region. For example, Cortana is currently only available in English (United States). To be able to use Cortana, the country or region for your system must be set to United States, and you also need to have installed the English (United States) version of Technical Preview.

Also, if your PC runs into problems, Microsoft will likely examine your system files. If the privacy of your system files is a concern, consider using a different PC. For more info, read our privacy statement. "

If that doesn't say it all then I don't know what to say. This is the reason for the ALPHA BUILD (Technical Preview) which is not yet a consumer preview. Simply put, if you have not read the first link or agreed to the privacy statement link above... then most likely, this is not for you because they are looking for those with SOME technical knowledge and that understand that there is bugs as stated and that this is a work in progress, not to be confused with a finished or even consumer releasable version. This is a technical Preview which allows Insiders, technically driven people who want to have a look under the covers before the software is in a finished state. and assist in molding its final product, not those hung up on words on a screen that may be confusing or misleading due to the lack of understanding that the technology that we use today is advanced and for the majority, cloud based, and that Microsoft is attempting to break into that world in a big way and interconnect the way we game, work, play, research, interact... infact 99% of the information that you are looking for is noted either in an EULA with said software, in the documentation that you would have checked off in order to even be here or in blogs in general. Here is some more info letting you know what this OS and the insiders program is all about... http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-faq-updates-feedback-pc better yet, start here, first paragraph will set the mood for what to expect --> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-privacy-statement ... directly from this so those who will still ask the same dead questions...

Controlling the Transmission of Data

Use of the Program software and services is at your discretion. Many features that transmit data to Microsoft are enabled automatically. You will not have the option to turn off the transmission of data for certain features in the Program software and services.

To stop the transmission of all data, you must completely uninstall the Program software and services from all of your devices. This may require you to reinstall your device’s operating system.

Disclosure of Data

We will share your data with your consent, including as necessary to complete any transaction or provide any service you have requested or authorized.

We share some data collected in connection with the Program with third parties. For example, we may share data about the performance of a particular hardware or software component on your device with the manufacturer of that component to enable them to improve how their component works with Microsoft products and services.

We may share or disclose information about you with other Microsoft controlled subsidiaries and affiliates, and with vendors or agents working on our behalf. For example, companies we've hired to provide customer service support or assist in protecting and securing our systems and services may need access to personal information in order to provide those functions. In such cases, these companies must abide by our data privacy requirements and are not allowed to use the information for any other purpose. We may also disclose information about you as part of a corporate transaction such as a merger or sale of assets.

We may also access, disclose and preserve information about you when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary to:

• comply with applicable law or respond to valid legal process from competent authorities, including from law enforcement or other government agencies;
• protect our customers, for example to prevent spam or attempts to defraud Microsoft’s customers, or to help prevent the loss of life or serious injury of anyone;
• operate and maintain the security of our products and services, including to prevent or stop an attack on our computer systems or networks; or
• protect the rights or property of Microsoft, including enforcing the terms governing the use of the services—however, if we receive information indicating that someone is using our products or services to traffic in stolen intellectual or physical property of Microsoft, we will not inspect a customer’s private content ourselves, but we may refer the matter to law enforcement.

Data Handling

Microsoft is committed to protecting the security of your personal information. We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. For example, we store the personal information you provide on computer systems that have limited access and are in controlled facilities. When we transmit highly confidential information (such as a credit card number or password) over the Internet, we protect it through the use of encryption, such as the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol.

Personal information collected by Microsoft may be stored and processed in the United States or any other country where Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries or service providers maintain facilities. Microsoft abides by the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework and the U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the collection, use and retention of data from the European Economic Area and Switzerland. To learn more about the Safe Harbor Program, and to view our certification, please visit http://www.export.gov/safeharbor/.

Microsoft may retain personal information for a variety of reasons, such as to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our agreements.

This is directly from the insider program agreement. Hope that has answered any further questions on this matter...

but incase you do, at the bottom of that privacy statement is this...

How to Contact Us

If you have a privacy question or a question for the Chief Privacy Officer of Microsoft or want to request access to your personal information, please contact us by using our web form.

• By mail: Windows Pre-Release Privacy, Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington 98052 USA
• By Phone: 425-882-8080

To find the Microsoft subsidiary in your area, see http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/.

There must be an access permissions / privileges list somewhere, perhaps over at the developers? It seems I am unable to find it this early in the morning! The best I can do is a sample from an app with all privileges required to manage contacts, calendar and notes. It is part of the Nokia Mobile to Microsoft Mobile user transfer, and I trust both enough to allow it.

All privileges are assigned together by tapping the 'OK' button for the app installation or on the website. Once installed, there is no additional questions asked.

Individual items cannot be edited - it's all or nothing.

Please tap the helpful button if you wish, I collect kudos, secretly :-) - it's only the 'Mark as answer' option that moves the post up. A post marked as 'Answer' can also be unmarked by the original poster (or a moderator) if the original poster is not happy with it, or if a better answer comes up later.

The list is edited, it has a pretty thumbnail image for each item, and also displays when the app was last used. Here goes:

You've given nokia_sync_server access to the following information:

Access your info anytime

nokia_sync_server will be able to see and update your info, even when you're not using this app.

Sign in automatically

Signing in with your Microsoft account will automatically sign you in to this app.

View your profile info and contact list

nokia_sync_server will be able to see your profile info, including your name, gender, display picture, contacts, and friends.

Create new pages in OneNote

nokia_sync_server will be able to create new pages but cannot view or edit existing pages.

Add to your contact list

nokia_sync_server will be able to add new contacts to your Outlook.com contact list.

Access your phone numbers

nokia_sync_server will have access to the phone numbers in your profile.

Access birthdays

nokia_sync_server will be able to see your birthday, your age, and the birthdays of your contacts.

Access your birthday

This includes the day, month, and year in your profile.

Access your email addresses

nokia_sync_server will be able to see the email addresses in your profile.

Add events to your Hotmail calendar

Events from nokia_sync_server will be added to your primary calendar.

View and update your calendars

nokia_sync_server will be able to view and update events on your Hotmail calendars.

Hi SebastianWhittaker ,

The concern is about a promotion campaign for the Windows 10 retail version, and the privileges required by the third-party company running the campaign.

I'm not sure where this thread really belongs, that's for the moderators to decide. ;-)

The Insider program is a different thing. I'm fully aware the developers will track every move I make, every key-press and all aspects of my boring life, during the weeks or months I choose to donate for the project.

--

Hans