Microsoft listened into Skype calls with no security

Stefan Mileschin · 14th January 2020, 07:31

Was that a bad thing?

Software king of the world Microsoft might have made a security boo-boo when it tried to improve Skype and Cortana by listening in to calls.

Vole had "no security measures" in place to protect data and amused contract workers in China were able to access recordings via a web app from personal computers in their homes.

An unnamed former contractor told the Guardian he reviewed thousands of recordings on his personal laptop from his home in Beijing over the two years he worked for Microsoft. The recordings included deliberate and accidental Cortana activations as well as some Skype calls. Workers were reportedly given no cybersecurity help, and usernames and passwords to access recordings were emailed to new contractors in plain text.

Microsoft has since made changes, including moving its review program to "secure facilities" none of which are in China.

A spokesvole said that the outfit had carefully reviewed both the process we use and the communications with customers.

"As a result, we updated our privacy statement to be even more clear about this work, and since then we've significantly enhanced the process including by moving these reviews to secure facilities in a small number of countries."

https://fudzilla.com/news/50101-micr...th-no-security

14th January 2020, 07:31	#1
Stefan Mileschin [M] Reviewer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Romania Posts: 148,726	Microsoft listened into Skype calls with no security Was that a bad thing? Software king of the world Microsoft might have made a security boo-boo when it tried to improve Skype and Cortana by listening in to calls. Vole had "no security measures" in place to protect data and amused contract workers in China were able to access recordings via a web app from personal computers in their homes. An unnamed former contractor told the Guardian he reviewed thousands of recordings on his personal laptop from his home in Beijing over the two years he worked for Microsoft. The recordings included deliberate and accidental Cortana activations as well as some Skype calls. Workers were reportedly given no cybersecurity help, and usernames and passwords to access recordings were emailed to new contractors in plain text. Microsoft has since made changes, including moving its review program to "secure facilities" none of which are in China. A spokesvole said that the outfit had carefully reviewed both the process we use and the communications with customers. "As a result, we updated our privacy statement to be even more clear about this work, and since then we've significantly enhanced the process including by moving these reviews to secure facilities in a small number of countries." https://fudzilla.com/news/50101-micr...th-no-security

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Microsoft contractors listened to what people told their Xbox consoles	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	22nd August 2019 07:03
Microsoft contractors listen to some Skype calls and Cortana commands	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	8th August 2019 13:06
Microsoft is testing Skype group calls for up to 50 people	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	18th March 2019 08:27
Alexa can now make Skype calls	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	20th November 2018 12:41
Skype launches end-to-end encryption for calls and texts	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	21st August 2018 12:33
Ask, and Siri will make Skype calls for you	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	30th September 2016 11:00
You'll soon be able to make Skype calls in your browser	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	17th November 2014 07:23
You can now answer Xbox One Skype calls with your voice	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	5th September 2014 07:08
Skype may soon remove typing sounds from calls	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	18th November 2013 11:50
When Intel calls, Skype listens	Sidney	WebNews	2	8th February 2006 21:43