Microsoft Edge Sends Browsing History to Microsoft

[Batu69]

The data collection saga continues for Microsoft

Windows 10 has dragged Microsoft into one of the worst privacy scandals in the last couple of years, as the default settings that come with the operating system automatically collect user data and send it to the company.

Microsoft Edge, the new browser that replaces Internet Explorer as the default option in Windows 10, does that too, and although settings to block this data collection are indeed being offered, many users might not be aware that their browsing history is tracked and then sent to the software giant.

So basically, every single website that you visit is logged, and once you end a browsing session, this log is automatically submitted to Microsoft. Obviously,

Redmond says that this information is encrypted and is only used to improve its services, such as Cortana and other browser features, but we all know what that actually means.

For privacy advocates, having browsing data collected and submitted to a third party is a nightmare, but the biggest problem isn't necessary the feature itself, but the fact that, unless you read the tens of pages of privacy terms, you're not aware of the features that might be running on your PC to gather this information.

Identifying the cause

First and foremost, we need to identify why browsing data is collected in Microsoft Edge.

If we are to trust Microsoft's documents, it's because of Cortana and page prediction features.

The former is supposed to assist you as you browse the web, so it's pretty clear why it needs to look into your browsing history (but it's not so clear why it has to send it to Microsoft, while the latter can predict your next page and pre-load it for faster browsing. Again, it's hard to find a reason why this data isn't processed locally and submitted to Microsoft.

Microsoft's explanation for Cortana:

“If you’re using Cortana with Microsoft Edge, your browsing history will be sent to Microsoft to help Cortana personalize your experience. If you don’t want your browsing history sent to Microsoft for personalization you can turn off the Have Cortana assist me in Microsoft Edge setting.”

And the official explanation for page prediction:

“If the Use page prediction setting is on, it sends your browsing history to Microsoft, uses aggregated browsing history data to predict which pages you're likely to browse to next, and then loads those pages in the background for a faster browsing experience.”

How to block Edge from sending browsing history to Microsoft

[steven36]

It says it does if you look real close . i noticed it when looking at it when installed windows 10. if you opt out of the data collecting when you clean it it resets these settings . I seen no way to keep these settings in tact . So I dont use it I keep it blocked with a firewall . i know away to remove it but not sure would it mess up windows updates ?

[DrKash]

SOLUTION :

Chromium

http://chromium.woolyss.com/

[steven36]

I removed It just now I didn't use it no ways also I removed Cortana as well windows search still works fine using classic shell start menu

[Ballistic Gelatin]

More Micro$cum. Unless the company capitulates to the public outcry, I may ride Windows 7 off into the sunset until the End of Days.

[shorty6100]

Windows 10 is not the only OS with these issues.....

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2978239/windows/microsoft-slips-user-tracking-tools-into-windows-7-8-amidst-windows-10-privacy-storm.html

[mkc21]

Windows 10 is not the only OS with these issues.....

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2978239/windows/microsoft-slips-user-tracking-tools-into-windows-7-8-amidst-windows-10-privacy-storm.html

lol rekt

[spudboy]

Windows 10 is not the only OS with these issues.....

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2978239/windows/microsoft-slips-user-tracking-tools-into-windows-7-8-amidst-windows-10-privacy-storm.html

There's a big difference. You can uninstall those updates on other OS's.

[software182]

ummm, it's their browser and it's normal I think :huh: it became weird if they sent the data to Mozilla's server :p

[HX1]

It you truly want to remove this information, from Microsoft.. You should log into BING after changing your settings and look in the settings.. There you can remove and rest all Cortana data which is collected..

[jimbojet2011]

My edge history is no ones his business and certainly not microsoft his!

What a fucked up world we are living in.......

[steven36]

It you truly want to remove this information, from Microsoft.. You should log into BING after changing your settings and look in the settings.. There you can remove and rest all Cortana data which is collected..

How do you login to M$ when you dont have M$ account? I never made one and installed Windows 10 without one . Problem solved uninstall both parasites :P

[rudrax]

MS is indirectly asking you fap site suggestion.

[Holmes]

Did everyone read the source article to? Anything the browser collects can be changed and controlled with edge settings and if you use a special program and look at what is collected you can find out what they collect if its encrypted someone online has decrypted it and posted a article google search and find it. Like the one person said unless there collecting data and sending it somewhere else and you track it down and see the proof then its speculation. Im sure all you want to know is located in the eula use the program I have called EULAlyzer from the developers of spyware blaster (BrightFort) and it can help you save alot of time by giving you what your truly looking for:

https://www.brightfort.com/eulalyzer.html

Its free there is a paid version you can buy but it monitors eulas you get automatically (its for lazy users). Get the free version input all the information from microsoft's eula and find out the information your looking for save yourself time. Users are making it sound like microsoft are the police. If they were hypothetically speaking collecting information using browsing history so they can help law enforcement unless your searching for child pornography (god I hope not your disgusting) or involved with terrorist activities you have nothing to worry about. Microsoft doesnt care if your looking at midget porn hell someone at microsoft would be like DUDE this user is browsing this midget porn website Im getting ready to FAP lawls (like rudrax said hahahaha).

I think what microsoft says in the source is the way it is otherwise they have alot to lose (they want to reach a billion users but there going to illegally obtain informmation from there customers and think its ok we have a get out of jail free card no. This is like the article talking about microsoft is scanning your local disks and is going to send it to microsoft so they can send it to markmonitor sounds scary thinking about it but really what are the chances Im not trying to be gullable and Im not trying to say I dont trust anyone Im saying if it sounds farfetched then it most likely is..

[heyyahblah]

I removed It just now I didn't use it no ways also I removed Cortana as well windows search still works fine using classic shell start menu

It's just the ability to tweak, man. I know it's complicated and a lot of shit for people to deal with right now but if you format and image and play around a few times it gets easier.

I for one went and removed Internet Explorer from the computer altogther via:

Control Panel>Programs and Features>Turn Windows features on or off. Remove IE11.

(problem solved)

Then remove EDGE from the taskbar (pinned) an startmenu (pinned) don't use it at all. Use FF/Chrome/Opera/whatever.

We have been using those broswers since time so why bother with EDGE?

(problem solved)

Whoretana/Spytana/Cortana whatever you want to call her, she is disabled via Group Policy. You can do this manually yourself or if you are uneasy, use one of the recommended pics by nsanemembers:

Shutup10 or Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4, either of these programs will disable Cortana via admin group policy editor. Restart your computer and when you hit W10 search it will tell you "Cortana cannot run because that spying whore has been disabled via group policy"

Then she can never run again, problem solved. Who needs a spying siri on your desktop anyways? Windows search works just fine after that. No cortana no web searches, no IE11 and EDGE is never run. Just sits there collecting dust as it should always and forever will be.

So many more better browsers to choose from, it blows my mind that anyone in their right mind would use IE11 or EDGE on W10. Couldn't even pay me to use EDGE/IE