Microsoft Patents Privacy Policy Notification Mechanism
InformationWeek is reporting on a new patent awarded to Microsoft for notifying users when the privacy policy of an service changes. The article notes that Microsoft won't user personal data if you don't accept the new policy. What it doesn't say is how your service might degrade if you don't. Will we lose features that "require" higher levels of disclosure?
Here's the description of the process:
The patented system automatically informs users if there is a change to the way in which Microsoft intends to use personal data embedded in the application, and then prompts them to consent to the change. It also prevents the application from accessing the user's personal information or data unless the consent is given.
Unless there are overarching agreements about how policy agreements can change and how those changes can affect services, I'd be hesitant to adopt any Microsoft software-as-a-service pitch.
Email This!
Digg it!
Sphere it!
Del.icio.us
Reddit!
Newsvine
Comments
And in related news: Microsoft patent the act of breathing in.
Either I'm missing something (wouldn't be the first time), or this is just absurd...
Posted by: Wayne Smallman | September 12, 2007 6:04 PM
I'm not sure what the patent office found innovative and unique about this. The bigger question in my mind is why did Microsoft even bother? What do they have planned for this?
Posted by: Dan | September 12, 2007 6:16 PM