Microsoft Copilot Privacy: How to Manage Your Data and History

Ever wondered if Microsoft's Copilot assistant could become a little too familiar with your queries and prompts? If you've been raising an eyebrow over privacy concerns, you're not alone. Microsoft's AI-powered assistant Copilot—found across Windows, Edge, Office 365 apps, and more—has undoubtedly elevated productivity. But this power comes with a flipside: activity tracking. Yes, your Copilot chat history and interactions have likely been used to train Microsoft's large language models (LLMs)—unless you’ve opted out.
The good news? You can now clean the slate, delete your history, and adjust your privacy settings. Microsoft has outlined clear steps on how to do this, and I'm here to break it all down for you. Let's dive into how this impacts your privacy, why it matters, and what you can do about it.

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What Microsoft’s Copilot Tracks​

First, let’s clarify what kind of data Copilot collects, as revealed by Microsoft:

• Voice and Text Conversations: Every time you chat with Copilot, that interaction can potentially be saved.
• Search and News Data: Bing search queries and interactions with MSN articles or advertisements are tracked.
• Usage Data Across Microsoft Apps: Your activity, such as summarizing a document in Word or collating data in Excel, also makes its way into the pool.
• Personalization Features: If enabled, Copilot uses data from various sources to personalize responses based on inferred interests.

While this information is vital to improving AI services, it doesn't sit well with everyone, especially when applied by default. For many, this tracking feels intrusive—particularly if the thought of your daily queries being part of an AI training program makes you uneasy. Do you really want the questions you asked about sensitive documents or casual conversations fueling machine learning?

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Decluttering Your Data: Step-by-Step to Deleting Copilot Activity History​

Here's what Microsoft says: you can start fresh and delete your chat history with Copilot. Whether you've used it in Office apps, the browser, or Windows, follow these steps to regain control:

1. Deleting History in the Copilot App​

• Open the Copilot interface.
• Look for the time machine icon (which gives you access to previous conversations).
• Simply click the trash bin icon for individual chats to wipe them clean.

2. Removing Entire Histories via the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard​

• Log into your Microsoft Privacy Dashboard through your account page.
• Navigate to the Copilot Activity History or Browser and Search History section.
• Choose the option to Delete All Activity.
  Note: This option wipes out conversations from Copilot along with browser Copilot activities performed on legacy systems (prior to October 2024).

3. Microsoft 365 and Office Copilot History​

• While on the Privacy Dashboard, you can export activity history tied to Copilot interactions within apps like Word or Excel.
• Unfortunately, deleting this specific history isn't currently supported. However, personalized restrictions can mitigate real-time tracking.

4. Privacy Settings for Connected Accounts​

• Open your profile in the Microsoft app or Windows Settings.
• Go to Privacy > Export or Delete Data and select Delete All.
• Tip: Sign in with the account linked to Copilot usage—this ensures completeness.

5. Opting Out of Personalization: No More Tailored Suggestions​

• On Windows or in Edge, open Settings > Account > Privacy.
• Toggle Personalization off.
• In Edge, go to Permissions and Privacy, and change the "personalization consent" setting to "No."

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Broader Implications for User Privacy​

Microsoft's move to allow chat history deletions and privacy customizations is undeniably a step forward, but is it enough? Consider these points:

• Default Opt-In: By default, users are opted in rather than out. This assumes consent unless you manually configure these settings, which could be a barrier for less tech-savvy users.
• Partial Control: While you can delete most activity history, certain interactions—such as those within Office apps—can only be exported, not deleted. This leaves a small pool of data outside your direct control.
• Transparency vs. Implementation: While Microsoft provides explicit instructions, the settings aren't exactly front and center. If you're not keen on digging through dashboards or drilling into profiles, you might miss them.

Should options like history tracking remain off by default, requiring users to opt-in of their own accord? It's an open question—and one that Microsoft should consider seriously to build and maintain user trust.

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Why This Matters (And Why You Should Care)​

AI assistants like Copilot are becoming integral to everything from brainstorming ideas to coding solutions. As features expand, convenience grows—but so does vulnerability. Imagine:

• Sensitive legal queries surfacing in training datasets.
• Corporate-related questions anonymized but still influencing AI decision-making models.
• The impact of personalization when you're researching sensitive health or personal data.

By erasing your data and opting out of data sharing, you’re not just safeguarding what’s private to you—you’re also asserting what role your usage should play in AI development.

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Final Thoughts: Should Microsoft Go Further?​

Microsoft’s measures are commendable, but they raise broader philosophical debates. Who bears the burden of privacy? Should the user get the final decision by default, rather than needing to manually opt out? The Copilot tracking features—however well-meaning—strike a chord about where to draw the line between feature improvement and user autonomy.
What do you think? Are these tools sufficient to ensure your privacy and control, or is the current setup making too many assumptions about consent? Almost every Windows and Office user will face these decisions as AI assistants grow more ubiquitous.
As always, your privacy is in YOUR hands—so take those steps to tailor your Microsoft experience. Got opinions, questions, or stories about Copilot privacy? Share them in the comments section below, and let’s get a conversation started.

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Source: Windows Report https://windowsreport.com/does-copilot-know-your-darkest-secrets-now-you-can-delete-them/