Accusation after accusation has been made that Microsoft will spy on you with the Kinect; in response, they have told us that they will do all they can to stop any government attempt to access your Kinect’s data.

Microsoft has said they are trying to release past requests for user information it has received from intelligence services, but they are being blocked from doing so by the US government.

When The Verge asked about Kinect’s privacy, he said:

Absent a new law, we don’t believe the government has the legal authority to compel us or any other company that makes products with cameras and microphones to start collecting voice and video data, we’d aggressively challenge in court any attempts to try and force us to do so.

The new Kinect also has an activity light, so you will know when it’s recording, he added.

Unsurprisingly, this isn’t the first time Microsoft has had to calm worries over Xbox One privacy. The company previously said that when off, Kinect will only listen for the ‘Xbox On’ voice command, which can be turned off.

• You are in control of when Kinect sensing is On, Off or Paused: 

If you don’t want the Kinect sensor on while playing games or enjoying your entertainment, you can pause Kinect. To turn off your Xbox One, just say “Xbox Off.” When the system is off, it’s only listening for the single voice command — “Xbox On,” and you can even turn that feature off too. Some apps and games may require Kinect functionality to operate, so you’ll need to turn it back on for these experiences.

The company also commented on how they only respond to requests for under very specific circumstances.

We only respond to requests for specific accounts and identifiers, there is no blanket or indiscriminate access to Microsoft’s customer data. The aggregate data we have been able to publish shows clearly that only a tiny fraction – fractions of a percent – of our customers have ever been subject to a government demand related to criminal law or national security.

 

Microsoft requested the US Attorney General to permit itself and other companies to share more information on what kind of data it releases to government security agencies. Currently it is being blocked from releasing this information by the US government.

There are significant inaccuracies in the interpretations of leaked government documents reported in the media last week, we have asked the Government again for permission to discuss the issues raised by these new documents, and our request was denied by government lawyers.

With all these worries, it’s hard to forget the reports on how Microsoft simply gave the NSA access to our encrypted emails and Skype calls. Read more about it  here.

Also, like the title suggests, I’m hosting a caption, and an ‘entertaining answer contest and the winning prize isMetro:2033 steam code giveaway, only 1 person can win so you must make it a good caption to win! Enter HERE.

Example:

Oh, and something our ‘My Little Pony’ lover moderator Fate6 might like:

Yep, My Little Pony hoodies on the XBL store, along with pets and more. Enjoy! I guess…