Microsoft accused of tracking Windows Phone handsets

Microsoft is being sued over the use of location-tracking technology in its Windows Phone 7 handsets, which it is alleged send information on users’ location to the software giant, even after the location-tracking feature is turned off.

The lawsuit was filed in a Seattle Federal court by Rebecca Cousineau, who alleges the cameras used in Windows Phone devices collect location data and transmit it to Microsoft – even if the user has disabled the location-tracking feature.

Microsoft is the latest phone-maker to be caught up in a location-tracking furore. Earlier in the year, rivals Apple and Google were also accused of surreptitiously tracking their users.

In a subsequent US Congress hearing, officials from Microsoft insisted it only ever used location-tracking features with users’ consent. Tracking a handset’s location allowed the company to develop more useful services for its customers and never to track where a specific handset had been, Microsoft told Congress.

In the UK, data watchdog the Information Commissioner's Officer has said it is willing to investigate complaints by users who believe their phone's location may have been tracked without their knowledge or consent.

The location-tracking case is another embarrassing lawsuit for the software maker. In the UK recently, it has been defending itself against claims of wrongful dismissal from a former senior manager.

During the case, Simon Negus, a former general manager at enterprise and partner group Microsoft UK, said the company had a hard-drinking culture and alleged outrageous behaviour was rife at company sales conferences.

Negus was dismissed in September 2010 over claims he had lied to an internal inquiry. Negus disputes this claims.

Microsoft was asked to comment on the phone tracking case but declined to do so.