Microsoft Teams may be tracking more of your info than you think

Teams App
(Image credit: Shutterstock / dennizn)

Concerns are resurfacing regarding how much data Microsoft Teams collects during video calls. Potentially, the volume of information collected presents a privacy infringement for individual users and could be used for employer snooping given the amount of remote work that is currently taking place.

As the coronavirus pandemic has forced more employees to work remotely, they have often used digital collaboration tools like Teams to remain productive. This has drawn increased scrutiny regarding the types of data that these tools collect.

The latest research indicates that the Teams Activity Report can be used by businesses to read a breakdown of usage for each individual user. This includes each person's chats, voicemails, files, privacy settings, and even a person’s time stamps.

Privacy versus productivity

Microsoft would no doubt argue that the data it collects is extremely useful for adding new features to the Teams platform, which it has done frequently of late, and for enabling businesses to boost their productivity. Given that many employees are not currently in a position to choose if they use Teams or not, however, it does seem as though they are essentially being forced to hand over their data.

What’s more, given that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently spoke of his desire to expand Teams significantly, turning it into a “digital platform as significant as the internet browser,” it’s likely that Teams may soon be able to capture even more data from its users.

Back in October last year, Microsoft announced a new 365 Productivity Score feature to help business speed up their digital transformation projects but which was heavily criticized for operating as an employee surveillance tool. Microsoft responded by anonymizing the data it collected so it could not be used to spy on employees but the data is still being collected nonetheless. It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will make a similar backtrack regarding its Teams data collection policies.

  • Also, check out our roundup of the best VPNs out there

Via ZDNet

Barclay Ballard

Barclay has been writing about technology for a decade, starting out as a freelancer with ITProPortal covering everything from London’s start-up scene to comparisons of the best cloud storage services.  After that, he spent some time as the managing editor of an online outlet focusing on cloud computing, furthering his interest in virtualization, Big Data, and the Internet of Things. 

Read more
Giant eye watching at man working at the computer. Surveillance, hacking, internet security concept. Flat vector illustration.
85% of UK employers admit to spying on their employees – and workers aren't happy
Workers at computers in an office
Most bosses admit using some form of snooping software to spy on staff
Team collaboration
This new open source collaboration tool makes working with your colleagues even easier
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is getting one of Facebook's worst features, and I can't see why you'd ever use it
Hands on a laptop with overlaid logos representing network security
Privacy must be a business priority: the urgent need for investment and action
Video conferencing
Microsoft Teams vs Slack: Which video collaboration service is best?
Latest in Security
Data leak
Top home hardware firm data leak could see millions of customers affected
Representational image depecting cybersecurity protection
Third-party security issues could be the biggest threat facing your business
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
Android Logo
Devious new Android malware uses a Microsoft tool to avoid being spotted
URL phishing
HaveIBeenPwned owner suffers phishing attack that stole his Mailchimp mailing list
Ransomware
Cl0p resurgence drives ransomware attacks to new highs in 2025
Latest in News
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Rennovations
Disney’s giving a classic Buzz Lightyear ride a tech overhaul – here's everything you need to know
Hisense U8 series TV on wall in living room
Hisense announces 2025 mini-LED TV lineup, with screen sizes up to 100 inches – and a surprising smart TV switch
Nintendo Music teaser art
Nintendo Music expands its library with songs from Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Tetris
Opera AI Tabs
Opera's new AI feature brings order to your browser tab chaos
An image of Pro-Ject's Flatten it closed and opened
Pro-Ject’s new vinyl flattener will fix any warped LPs you inadvertently buy on Record Store Day
The iPhone 16 Pro on a grey background
iPhone 17 Pro tipped to get 8K video recording – but I want these 3 video features instead