For the past two days, social media platforms have been abuzz with claims that Microsoft, the software giant, has been using the data generated through its Office 365 applications to train artificial intelligence models, including OpenAI’s popular language model, ChatGPT. These posts, which first gained traction on Tumblr, suggest that Microsoft has been utilizing the information from its Word and Excel apps under the umbrella of its “Connected Experiences” initiative.
In response to the widespread speculation, Microsoft issued a clear statement refuting the claims. The company emphasized that these posts were inaccurate and that it has never used user-generated data from its Office apps to train large language models, such as ChatGPT. The company explained that while it has implemented the “Connected Experiences” feature in Office 365 since April 2019, this feature is not designed to analyze user content in the way some social media posts have suggested. Instead, the Connected Experiences tab primarily aids users by providing grammar suggestions, enabling co-authoring, improving communication, and offering features such as translations. The goal of this feature is to enhance productivity, not to gather and analyze user data for AI model training.
This clarification comes amid growing concerns fueled by the widespread circulation of misinformation on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, where users speculated that Microsoft was using the data from Word and Excel for training purposes. However, the company made it clear that no such practices were in place, aiming to put the rumors to rest.
In other news, Microsoft has also responded to growing pressure from the White House regarding its decision to end support for Windows 10 in September-October 2025. To mitigate the impact on users, Microsoft has introduced a one-time fee of $30 per PC for a 12-month extension. This extended support will include critical security updates and software patches necessary to maintain the cybersecurity integrity of affected PCs.
According to estimates from Cybersecurity Insiders, over 400 million PCs will be affected by the end of Windows 10 support. However, some users may be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11, provided their devices meet the necessary hardware requirements.
Furthermore, Microsoft has announced that it will be looking into the legal concerns raised by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding potential antitrust violations involving the company’s products and services. As Microsoft continues to expand its cloud and software offerings, particularly in providing services to the U.S. government, it must address and resolve these legal challenges to maintain its business operations in the U.S. and abroad. The company, led by CEO Satya Nadella, will need to clear these allegations to ensure it can continue its global business operations without legal hindrances.
