Updated Xbox Privacy Statement Explains Limits of Kinect, GameDVR And Ads

Microsoft has released a new Xbox privacy statement on the eve of the Xbox One’s launch. The updated terms address concerns raised by the new consoles, including its improved Kinect, GameDVR, and advertising.

The terms are upfront and straightforward, if generic and not completely elucidatory. Microsoft collects your data, partly to confirm your identity, partly to protect you and partly to personalize your experience.  Microsoft insists it won’t share data to 3^rd parties without your consent, but also clears up some services requires you to login to some of those 3^rd parties. You also have some control of what collected information you can see and share.

The new Kinect is partially explained so that you understand its limits and how much you can control privacy with it. It has a microphone, infrared sensor, and a camera. These monitor your body motions and voice to control the interface and play games. Logging in with Kinect requires your face is at a certain distance so it can measure key points to identify you. It can also observe your skeletal movements to estimate exercise stats and observe your facial expressions in the course of playing a game.

GameDVR’s limits are also explained, particularly for multiplayer. No audio chat is recorded. Any one player can record their view of the game during any session. That recording can include the gamertags and in-game characters of other players, but that’s it.

Finally, Microsoft is again upfront about using collected information for targeted advertising. They do intend to use information collected over time to identify your preferences, and produce ads for you that way. There will be a persistent cookie to identify that the Xbox is yours. You can always opt out of these ads after signing in to your account.

I think everything is clearly explained here, but does this new information assuage your fears about the Xbox One? Feel free to sound off in the comments below.

Source: Microsoft