Copilot quietly grabs your data from other Microsoft products now - here's how to opt out

Source: ZDNet

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• A Copilot setting lets the AI access data from other Microsoft products.
• The goal is to help personalize your Copilot conversations.
• You can disable this if you’re worried about your privacy.

Like many AIs, Microsoft Copilot learns more about you to better personalize its chats. It does this by remembering your conversation history and the details you deliberately share. However, one setting in Copilot may also be pulling in data from other Microsoft products without your knowledge.

Also: I let Microsoft Edge’s new AI feature read all my open tabs – and it’s a total research time‑saver

The setting, known as “Microsoft usage data,” lets Copilot refer to data from Bing, MSN, Edge, and other Microsoft services you’ve used, as reported by Windows Latest【1】. Accessible via the Copilot website and the mobile app, this option is part of Copilot’s Memory feature. It allows the AI to recall:

• Your conversation history
• Any facts and instructions you share
• Certain data from Microsoft products

All of this is intended to personalize Copilot.

This memory feature can be useful. For example, you might want to reference a topic from a past conversation without re‑explaining it, or you may be seeking advice on a personal or professional matter where the AI’s knowledge of you improves its response.

Note: You can edit or delete Copilot’s memories about you. See the guide on how to manage these memories【2】.

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References

1. Windows Latest – “Copilot quietly pulls your data from other Microsoft products, including Edge and MSN – but you can opt out.”

2. ZDNET – “You can now edit Microsoft Copilot’s memories about you – here’s how.”

Are You Putting Your Privacy at Risk?

Microsoft’s Copilot can be useful, but it also raises privacy questions. Below is a concise overview of how your data is handled and how you can control it.

What Microsoft Says About Your Data

• Purpose of data collection – According to the Copilot FAQ and the Privacy Statement, your conversations are recorded only to:

  • Monitor performance
  • Troubleshoot issues & diagnose bugs
  • Prevent abuse
  • Improve the product

• Model training – Microsoft states it does not use your conversations for AI model training unless you explicitly enable that separate setting.

Personalization & Targeted Ads

• The Copilot personalization toggle does not control targeted advertising.
• To manage ads, go to your Microsoft Account → Privacy → Personalized ads & offers:

How to Review & Adjust Copilot Settings

1. Open Copilot

   • Web:
   • iOS app:
   • Android app:

2. Navigate to Memory Settings

   • Web: Click your account name (bottom‑left pane) → Settings → Memory.
   • Mobile: Tap the hamburger menu → your name → Memory.

3. Manage Options

   • Personalization and memory – Turn off the main switch.
   • Facts you’ve shared – Edit or delete specific details.
   • Microsoft usage data – Turn off the switch first, then disable personalization.
   • Delete all memory – Use the button to clear everything at once.

Recommendations

• Disable personalization if you don’t need Copilot to remember facts about you.
• Avoid sharing sensitive information (e.g., sexual orientation, health status, confidential business data).
• Regularly review and clear memory to keep your data minimal.

Further Reading

• Privacy‑focused guides

  • 11 ways to delete or hide yourself from the internet – ZDNet

  • The permissions behind AI Chrome extensions – ZDNet

By staying aware of these settings and following the recommendations, you can enjoy Copilot while keeping your privacy under control.