Microsoft Shares Source Code for Wi-Fi Data Collection Software

Reid Kuhn, Microsoft’s Partner Group Program Manager for the Windows Phone Engineering Team, stated in a blog post today that Microsoft will be releasing some of the source code for the software it uses to collect details of WiFi hotspots, with the intention that it be examined for privacy implications.

Microsoft used this code by having cars drive around to collect cell tower, WiFI, and GPS data, something the company calls “managed driving.” This allows for faster and better targeted location based services for Windows Phone users.

Microsoft, along with Apple and Google, got into a lot of heat a few months back when it was discovered that user’s smartphones were being tracked. Google continues to state that the collection of data was accidental.

“Important for respecting consumer privacy, [Microsoft’s] software does not intercept wireless data transmissions from consumers’ computers. The software neither observes nor records any information that may contain user content transmitted over a network,” Kuhn stated.

Kuhn states that this will prove that Microsoft is committed to privacy and ensuring the protection of people’s information.