Neither can I use Google Docs or iWork.
Neither can I use Google Docs or iWork.
The Office 365 package is popular all over the world, but now Microsoft has reduced its customer base, at least in Germany.
German authorities have now chosen to ban schools in the country from using the productivity package. The reason is a concern that the data of the students belonging to them is being leaked to the US authorities.
Google Docs and Apple's iWork are also banned.
Therefore, the German authorities say no
It is not that these services use cloud storage which is the problem, according to The Next Web. Instead, there is telemetry information sent from Windows 10 and the company's cloud solution that is at the heart of the problem. This information is sent back to the US, which the German authorities believe is problematic.
"This information can include everything from normal software diagnostic data to user content from office applications, such as email topics and statements from documents where company translation tools or grammar checks were used," writes The Next Web.
With Office 365 banished, schools are encouraged to use local versions of Office instead of the cloud-based version. At present, only one state has implemented the ban, but it is expected that the changes will also be implemented in the rest of the country.
This says Microsoft
Microsoft has commented on the case through a statement sent to a number of media:
"We work routinely to address customer concerns by clarifying our privacy policies and practices. We look forward to working with the Hessian Commissioner to better understand their concerns. When Office 365 is connected to a job or school account, administrators have a variety of options to restrict features made possible by sending data to Microsoft. We recently announced (here and there), based on customer feedback, new steps for better transparency and control for these organizations in sharing this data. In our terms of use, we document the steps we take to protect customer data, and we even have sued US authorities for access to customer data in Europe. In short; We are grateful to the Commissioner for expressing these concerns and we look forward to working with the Commissioner on the issues and concerns related to Microsoft's offerings.