Potential security breach in Word with images - what is giving suggested alt text - are images accessed (and stored) remotely when inserted into Office? Connected Experiences that Analyze Your Content

When an image is inserted in a document and you are online, alt text is suggested.



This is virtually instantaneous.


When there is no Internet connection, this is not generated.

If there is a later connection it is not generated unless requested.


To me, this is a security breach.


This was brought to my attention in another forum.

Word 365: Outside server image analysis


I understand that Microsoft is trying to be helpful. Is this true of all "connected services?"


I am a criminal defense lawyer and sometimes work with confidential images in Word or other Office programs. Even if never shown to another person, even if I use the images in a public hearing, such disclosure could violate my ethical obligations under my Supreme Court rules.


Was this discussion helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this discussion?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this discussion?

Thanks for your feedback.

Perhaps I should not have been surprised, but I was. See: Connected Services that Analyze Your Content.

For now, I am turning these off until I get an opinion from our Bar's ethics guru.

Volunteering to "pay forward" the help I've received in the Microsoft user community.


Charles Kenyon
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
wordfaq[at]addbalance[dot]com

Legal site: https://addbalance.com

2 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

This has been Microsoft's M.O. in the last few years, to provide software as a service to Office without notifying users. Alt text is one example, but icons and a lot of insertable content is run the same way, PDF production with hyperlinks in macOS, the Designer feature in PowerPoint, the list goes on...

Author of "OOXML Hacking - Unlocking Microsoft Office's Secrets", ebook now out
John Korchok, Production Manager
production@brandwares.com

2 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

 
 

Discussion Info


Last updated February 16, 2024 Views 181 Applies to: