Microsoft targeted by Austrian Privacy Group Over Education program

Brussels:

Microsoft was the target on Tuesday of two complaints filed by privacy advocacy group NOYB with the Austrian privacy watchdog related to its online education software, the latest complaints leveled against the US tech giant.

Online educational programs gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as schools switched to distance learning and students became online learners.

NOYB’s complaints (none of your business) center on Microsoft’s 365 Education suite of software programs for students that include Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint and Outlook.

In its first complaint, the advocacy group alleged that Microsoft shifts its responsibility as a data controller as necessary to process users’ personal data under EU privacy rules known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). ), for schools, which do not have the necessary data.

“Under the current system that Microsoft is imposing on schools, your school would have to audit Microsoft or give them instructions on how to process student data. Everyone knows that such contractual agreements are out of touch with reality,” said NOYB lawyer Maartje de Graaf. said in a statement.

“This is nothing more than an attempt to shift responsibility for children’s data as far away from Microsoft as possible,” she said.

The second complaint focuses on cookies installed in Microsoft’s 365 Education. Advertisers use cookies to track consumers.

“Our analysis of the data streams is very concerning. Microsoft 365 Education appears to track users regardless of their age. This practice is likely to affect hundreds of thousands of students and students in the EU and EEA (European Economic Area),” said NOYB . lawyer Felix Mikolasch.

NOYB urged the Austrian Data Protection Authority to investigate its complaints and fine Microsoft.

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