Attention, Outlook users! Microsoft has announced a significant change regarding your privacy and data retention. If you've been using Outlook mail or calendar, you might want to take note of the upcoming new Outlook opt-out date. Here's what you need to know.
Microsoft is set to implement a new data retention policy that could potentially impact your data. This means that if you haven't proactively managed your data, you might lose some of it. But don't worry, there's still time to opt-out and keep your data safe.
Understanding the Outlook Retention Policy Change
The new policy, set to take effect in late 2023, will impact ninety-day inactive accounts. This includes those that haven't signed in for 90 days or more. If you fall into this category, your data will be subject to the new retention rules.
Now, what does this mean for your data? Well, unless you opt-out, certain data will be moved to a temporary retention area. Here, it will be kept for 30 days before being deleted if no action is taken.
Impacted Services
This change affects a range of Microsoft services, notably Outlook.com mail and calendar. If you use these services, it's important to understand how this could impact your data.
Remember, this doesn't affect other Microsoft 365 services like Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, or other connected apps that use your Outlook.com account, such as the Outlook mobile app. However, the data stored in these apps might be affected if they're using the Outlook.com account.
What Data is Affected?
Under the new policy, email and calendar data older than 30 days in inactive accounts will be moved to a temporary retention area. This includes:
- Old email (including ones in folders)
- Calendar entries
- Contacts
However, data stored in the cloud through a Microsoft 365 subscription is not affected by this policy.
Opting Out of the New Data Retention Policy
Now that you understand the changes, you might be wondering how to opt-out and keep your data safe. It's simple!
All you need to do is sign in to your Outlook.com account at least every 90 days. This will reset the inactive account clock, and you'll be able to access and manage your data as usual.
Signing In
To sign in to your Outlook.com account:
- Visit the Outlook.com homepage on any web browser.
- Click 'Sign in'.
- Enter your email address and click 'Next'.
- Enter your password and click 'Sign in'.
That's it! Your account will now be marked as active.
Using Outlook App or Third-party Email Clients
If you use the Outlook app on your phone or a third-party email client like Thunderbird, you can still keep your account active. Simply sign in to these apps using your Outlook.com credentials.
Remember, the key here is to sign in at least every 90 days to avoid losing your data.
In the end, it's crucial to stay proactive with your data management, especially with the new retention policy looming. Microsoft's changes are typically aimed at improving services, but it's always better to be informed and take action to protect your data. So, keep an eye on that date, and stay active in your Outlook account!