Microsoft to cut time it holds internet search data


Software giant Microsoft said it would slash by two thirds the time it holds internet users’ personal data gathered from search queries, according to AFP. The US giant, behind the Bing search engine, called on market leader Google to do likewise during a Brussels press conference. “Microsoft will remove the entirety of IP addresses from search queries at six months,” said John Vassallo, vice president for European Union affairs, referring to Internet Protocol data identifying individual users. The company currently holds the information for 18 months and said the new rules will come into force within 12 to 18 months. The decision marks an abrupt change of stance as previously it said it would only reduce the stockage time if its rivals followed suit. Analysts said the move was triggered by pressure from European privacy campaigners, but Microsoft said users worldwide would benefit.

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