Microsoft Exaggerates Privacy Benefits

By Leslie Meredith

updated 2/3/2012 12:21:09 PM ET

Microsoft also asks new users to provide personal information, including name, ZIP code and date of birth when they register for a product such as Hotmail . Like a Google profile that's attached to multiple services, this basic information establishes a Windows Live ID that Microsoft uses across its services.
Microsoft uses cookies and other technologies to keep track of your interactions with their products to offer a personalized experience.
Microsoft collects information about you and combines it with information obtained from other Microsoft services and other companies. It uses the information to provide services such as personalized content and advertising.
As with Google, you can also opt-out of receiving targeted ads from Microsoft advertising. To be clear, you'll still see ads: That's how both companies make money.