Microsoft is vigorously promoting the new version of Outlook during this period. This so-called new version of Outlook actually refers to Outlook developed based on WebView2. For this reason, Microsoft will stop supporting the UWP version of the mail application. Users will either use the web version of Outlook or the traditional Win32 version of Outlook. The remaining choice is the WebView2 version of Outlook.
Now, whether users use the UWP version of email or the Win32 version of Outlook, they will see a button for the new version of Outlook, which will be automatically installed as long as the user clicks on it.
However, we did not know how much data the new version of Outlook collects before. As required by EU law, the European Union marked a note in Outlook's privacy reminder: Microsoft and 772 third-party partners (mostly advertising companies) jointly collect and store user data.
So what data does Microsoft and its partners collect:
According to the disclosure in the privacy policy, Microsoft and its 772 partners will use PCs running the new version of Outlook to identify users, store and/or access information on that PC, provide personalized ads and other content, and otherwise obtain "audience insights."
Microsoft's separate "Choose ad layout" window (shown only in the EU) explains that Outlook will insert closeable ads in users' mailboxes by default, but users can also move the ads into a banner above the mailbox.
At the same time, some ads inserted by Microsoft and its partners imitate email styles (so-called native ads) to attract users to click, which may sometimes confuse users.
In addition to the EU, the UK also has laws and regulations similar to the GDPR. Therefore, British users can also view the complete list of Microsoft and its 772 partners, which are actually advertising companies and data analysis companies, through the privacy terms. Users in other countries or regions cannot view it.
In addition, Microsoft emphasized that the company will not scan users' emails to obtain information, which means that the content of the emails will not be shared with advertising companies.
Microsoft will collect users’ interests and preferences through other methods, including location information, users’ transactions, search keywords, and viewed content. Of course, it is impossible for Microsoft to obtain all user data, so it will obtain as much as it can.
However, the behavior of the new version of Outlook is really scary. In comparison, although the UWP version of emails also has advertisements, they are mainly Microsoft365 subscription advertisements and do not involve external advertising companies; the Win32 version of Outlook has no advertisements.