A recent tweet alleging that Microsoft Office utilizes customer document content for training its AI systems has sparked significant concern, though the tech behemoth clarifies that it stems from a simple misunderstanding.
A popular Linux account with a substantial following made the assertion…
NixCraft tweeted:
Heads up: Microsoft Office, like many companies in recent months, has slyly activated an “opt-out” feature that scrapes your Word and Excel documents to train its internal AI systems. This option is enabled by default, requiring users to manually uncheck a box to opt out. If you’re a writer employing MS Word for any proprietary work (like blog posts, novels, or any content you wish to protect under copyright and/or sell), you should turn off this feature immediately.
The tweet also included a screenshot of instructions referring to it as a “new AI privacy agreement.”
On a Windows computer, follow these steps to disable “Connected Experiences”: File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options > Privacy Settings > Optional Connected Experiences > Uncheck the box: “Turn on optional connected experiences”.
However, the official Microsoft 365 account countered the claim, asserting that it is untrue.
In the M365 apps, we do not use customer data to train LLMs. This setting solely enables features that require internet access, such as co-authoring a document.
DMN’s Take
Considering some unethical practices observed in AI model training, it’s understandable that such claims emerge and gain traction. In this instance, Microsoft’s firm response clarifies that the assertion is rooted in a misunderstanding.
Nonetheless, tech giants partly invite this confusion through their lengthy and vague privacy policies, making it challenging to comprehend their practices.
Earlier this year, Adobe encountered a similar issue, worsened by an initial dismissive response that failed to clarify the matter adequately. They were subsequently compelled to provide a more explicit statement.
Tech companies could greatly benefit both themselves and their users by revising their privacy policies for clarity and brevity.
Photo by Ed Hardie on Unsplash
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