Overview

• Microsoft's 'Connected Experiences' feature in Word and Excel collects user data by default, allegedly for AI training purposes.
• Critics argue the opt-out process is unnecessarily complicated, involving multiple steps in the software's settings menu.
• Microsoft denies using customer data for training generative AI models, claiming the feature supports internet-dependent functions like co-authoring documents.
• The company's Services Agreement grants Microsoft broad rights to user content, raising concerns about intellectual property and data privacy.
• The controversy reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies face scrutiny over data usage for AI development without explicit user consent.