[aclelland]

You want an even darker pattern? Try requesting the windows telemetry data from a PC which isn't logged in through a MS account. You'll spend weeks going back and forth trying to explain to their support agents that you can't login to the website because you don't have an account. Frustrating doesn't begin to describe it. I've still not been able to get anything from them despite a 30 email chain.

[linker3000]

Are you in the UK/EU? Hit MS with a subject access request (SAR) as per GDPR Article 15, and the clock starts ticking; the data processor (MS) must then provide all the personal data they hold on you, and other supplementary information. within one month (extendable by another two).

[gigel82]

I'm curious what'll actually be in there; please do this and report back.

I keep hearing the line of MS's evil data collection to serve you ads and whatnot but I suspect the truth is much milder; they probably have mostly usage telemetry to drive their investment decisions and possibly perf / bugs because they fired their testing team.