Microsoft has officially denied using customer data from its Microsoft 365 apps to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models, putting to rest recent online reports that sparked concerns over user data privacy. The tech giant's clarification comes amid growing unease among users about companies scraping their personal data without permission to train their AI systems.

The confusion arose from a privacy setting in Microsoft Office, which toggles "optional connected experiences" – a feature that enables users to search for online pictures or find information available online. This toggle is switched on by default, and doesn't explicitly mention AI training in the disclosure. A Microsoft learning document posted on October 21st, 2024, further contributed to the confusion by describing a long list of connected experiences in Office that "analyze your content" without explicitly excluding AI training.

In response to the claims, the Microsoft 365 X account stated, "In the M365 apps, we do not use customer data to train LLMs [Large Language Models]. This setting only enables features requiring internet access like co-authoring a document." Microsoft's communications head, Frank Shaw, also chimed in on Bluesky to debunk the claims, reiterating that the company does not use customer data for AI training.

This incident is not an isolated one. Earlier this year, Adobe faced a similar backlash after its user terms were widely misinterpreted to mean the company was training generative AI on the work of its users. Adobe swiftly updated the language in its terms of service to clarify that this wasn't the case. These incidents highlight the growing concern among users about their personal data being used by tech companies to train their AI models without express permission.

The issue is particularly pressing given that companies like Meta, X, and Google opt their users into AI training by default, and the vast quantities of online content being scraped for that purpose. As AI technology continues to advance and become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, it's essential for tech companies to prioritize transparency and user consent when it comes to data collection and usage.

The Microsoft and Adobe incidents serve as a wake-up call for the tech industry, emphasizing the need for clear communication and explicit consent when it comes to user data. As users become more aware of their data rights, companies must adapt to these changing expectations and prioritize user trust and privacy.

In conclusion, Microsoft's denial of using Office docs to train AI models is a step in the right direction, but it's only the beginning. The tech industry must continue to prioritize transparency, user consent, and data privacy as AI technology continues to evolve and shape our digital landscape.