Microsoft Denies Rumors of Sharing Windows 10 Telemetry Data with FireEye

Microsoft shot down rumors it was sharing personal user data acquired from Windows 10 telemetry with US security vendor FireEye.

The rumors took off after a report from Australian tech news site ARN, which announced a recent partnership between Microsoft and FireEye that would embed FireEye's security product in the commercial version of Windows Defender.

The report incorrectly stated that as part of the deal, FireEye would also be getting access to Windows 10 telemetry data, so the security vendor could improve their service, and indirectly Microsoft's subscription-based Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP).

In a statement Microsoft passed around to news agencies, the company denied the presence of any clause that would send telemetry data to FireEye.

The nature of the deal between Microsoft and FireEye is to license threat intelligence content from FireEye iSIGHT Intelligence. This additional layer of intelligence includes indicators and reports of past attacks collected and edited by FireEye and enhances detection capabilities of Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (WDATP). The deal does not include the sharing of Microsoft telemetry.

Microsoft - FireEye deal will improve Windows Defender ATP

The press release put out by FireEye on November 3 also did not mention anything about getting access to telemetry data.

According to the deal, FireEye will provide details about cyber-attacks to Windows Defender ATP users. This includes helpful information on the attacker's motivation, history, tools, targeted sectors, and geographies. This information will be provided via the Windows Defender ATP portal.

Only Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education, and Pro Education can subscribe to Windows Defender ATP.

Users can control the amount of telemetry data they share with Microsoft from Settings > Privacy > Feedback & Diagnostics. The lowest telemetry levels are Security or Basic, depending on the Windows 10 version you're using.

Additionally, there are also dedicated apps such as Disable Windows 10 Tracking and others that can block your PC from sending telemetry data altogether.