Definitely too nosy: New Outlook enables unwanted data leakage to Microsoft
Even Heise.de issued a warning about the new Outlook in November 23. According to the IT portal, the new Outlook app sends access data to IMAP and SMTP servers to Microsoft cloud servers, which then mirror users’ emails.
When asked, Microsoft explained why the new Outlook transfers access data to Microsoft servers, for example, and copies emails there, including those from other providers. The aim is to provide a “consistent user experience for all accounts added to Outlook”. However, this means that the new Outlook operates very differently to previous mail software.
Not secure in the long term
Heise.de comments: “Anyone who doesn’t want their access data and emails to end up at Microsoft will probably have no way of staying in the Microsoft cosmos for mail and groupware software in the long term if the company implements its announced plans unchanged.”
To be clear: Microsoft will have full access to emails, calendars and contacts if it agrees to synchronization.
Our conclusion
We generally advise our customers not to use Outlook when it comes to data security. EGroupware offers a secure alternative with its apps for mail, contacts and calendar. You can edit Office documents with full data control using Collabora Online.
As long as the collection of data by some software providers is not more strictly limited, control over private or business-critical data should always be a relevant criterion when selecting apps or providers.
We are happy to help with questions about data security, data sovereignty and alternative solutions.
https://www.heise.de/news/Microsoft-krallt-sich-Zugangsdaten-Achtung-vorm-neuen-Outlook-9357691.html
