In today's digital environment, our body has become a personal data of enormous valueFingerprints, facial features, iris scans, voice, posture, and even typing patterns are all signals that allow us to be identified and control access to services and devices. In Windows, these technologies coexist with a constant flow of information about our activity, location, browsing habits, and application usage, which opens up a range of risks and responsibilities that should be well understood.
If we also add laws such as the GDPR, the LOPDGDD or the specific regulations on biometric treatments, cybersecurity and consumer protectionThe situation becomes more complex: it's not enough to simply "set a password"; we need to understand what data is being collected, for what purpose, how it is stored, and what we can do to limit that control. reduce your digital footprintLet's see, step by step and in detail, how to protect your body as personal data and the rest of your information in Windows and in the digital ecosystem that surrounds it.
What is personal data and why is the body a key piece of data in the digital world?
In the digital world, almost everything boils down to data: numerical representations of people, objects, actions, and contexts that allow us to hire, study, work, buy, or socialize. Within this universe, personal data is considered to be that which identifies or can identify a natural person, either directly (name, ID number, clear face in a photo) or indirectly (location data, behavior, online identifiers, etc.).
The body comes into play when we talk about biometric dataFingerprints, facial geometry, iris scans, vein patterns, voice, digitized handwritten signatures, or even gait. Under the GDPR, this data is generally considered a special category of data, and its processing is, in principle, prohibited unless there is a specific legal basis that overrides this prohibition and another legal basis that legitimizes the processing (Articles 9 and 6 GDPR).
The underlying idea is simple: personal data directly affects the identity, dignity and freedom of people. With them, behaviors can be profiled, discrimination can be carried out, consumer decisions can be manipulated, or even political opinion can be influenced. When the data is bodily, the risk skyrockets, because we cannot "change our face" as easily as we can change our password.
The main framework in the EU is the GDPR, complemented in Spain by the LOPDGDD. Both seek to guarantee what is called “freedom of information”: that each person controls who uses their data, for what purpose, and for how longFrom this arise very specific rights (access, rectification, erasure, opposition, limitation, portability, review of automated decisions) and principles that bind those responsible for and in charge of processing.
Among these principles, the following stand out: legality (having a legal basis), specific purpose, data minimization (only what is necessary), accuracy, retention limitation, integrity, and confidentiality. Furthermore, there is the principle of proactive responsibility: compliance is not enough; it must be demonstrable, especially when dealing with high-risk data such as biometrics.
Standards and guidelines on biometrics: when the body becomes an access key
Biometric systems have spread at a brutal speed: Time and attendance control with fingerprint, access via facial recognition, device unlocking with iris or face, attendance control, gym access, etc. The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) considers that the processing of biometric data, both for identification and authentication, is a high-risk processing that involves special categories of data.
This has several important consequences: in order to use biometrics, it is necessary that there be a circumstance that lifts the prohibition to process special cases (for example, a specific legal mandate) and, furthermore, a legal basis that legitimizes that processing (public interest, legal obligation, etc.). In employment settings, the employee's consent is not considered valid to lift the prohibition or as a legal basis, because there is a clear power imbalance between employer and employee.
In the control of access or recording of working hours for employment purposes, the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) indicates that, if reference is made to Article 9.2.b) of the GDPR (compliance with obligations and rights in the workplace), a a law that expressly authorizes The use of biometrics for that specific purpose. Outside the workplace, consent is also insufficient if the processing is high-risk and does not pass the necessity and proportionality analysis required by Article 35.7 GDPR (Impact Assessment).
The AEPD Guide also establishes limits when data is taken from biometric systems. automated decisions with legal effects or significant impact regarding the person without human intervention. In these cases, the risk to rights is greater and the justification must be especially strong.
Before implementing such a system, a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is mandatory, which demonstrates, among other things, that it passes the triple filter of suitability (it really serves the purpose), necessity (there is no less intrusive alternative) and proportionality (the impact on privacy is not excessive).
If the use of biometrics is ultimately authorized, the responsible party must implement measures such as: inform people clearly Regarding the processing and its risks, allow the revocation of the link between the biometric template and the person, use strong encryption, prevent the use of the templates for other purposes or the interconnection of biometric databases, apply data protection by design and delete the data when it is no longer needed.
Other relevant privacy laws in the digital ecosystem
Beyond the GDPR and the LOPDGDD, other rules operate in the digital world that must be taken into account, especially if we deal with sensitive or consumer data in an international context. Among them are:
- CCAC (California Consumer Privacy Act): grants California consumers the right to know what personal information a company collects, how it uses it and with whom it shares it, and to request its deletion and opt out of the sale of your dataIt is a benchmark for many subsequent regulations.
- HIPAA The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the U.S. protects patients' health information, preventing its disclosure without their knowledge or consent. It is implemented through privacy and security regulations that impose very strict technical and organizational controls on healthcare providers and insurers.
- GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act): obliges financial institutions to explain how they share and protect confidential information of its clients, incorporating specific security and transparency measures in the financial sector.
In parallel, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) acts as main consumer protection authority in the United States, declaring unfair or deceptive trade practices, including the abusive exploitation of personal data, illegal.
In Europe, alongside the GDPR, regulations such as the Data Protection Regulation, the Digital Services Regulation, the Digital Markets Regulation, and the AI Regulation are being deployed, which seek to balance innovation and fundamental rights, obliging platforms, services, and artificial intelligence systems to to guarantee security, transparency and citizen control.
How Windows protects and uses your data: privacy, diagnostics, and personalization
Windows has ceased to be a simple program installed on a PC and has become a hybrid environment, heavily connected to the cloudKey system components are continuously updated, and to do so, Microsoft collects information about you, your device, and how you use it. Additionally, if your device is managed by your company or educational institution, that organization can enforce policies, monitor, and access certain data through centralized administration tools.
During activation, Windows associates a product key or digital license with your team. Information about the software, the device, and, on Windows mobile devices, even network and location data on first startup is sent to Microsoft for warranty, restocking, and fraud prevention purposes.
Activity history records the apps and services you use, the files you open, and some websites you visit. It's stored locally, and you can turn it off or delete it from Settings > Privacy > Activity history. This feature powers features like Timeline and improves consistency across devices.
The Windows advertising identifier creates a unique ID per user and device that Applications and advertising networks can use to show personalized ads. You can disable it in Settings, which will generate a new ID if you later re-enable it. However, this does not affect other forms of interest-based advertising (for example, web cookies), which are governed by their own policies.
Regarding diagnostic data, Windows distinguishes between required data and optional dataThe first set includes basic device information (hardware, connectivity, system version, peripherals, installed apps, update status, and basic errors). The second set adds details about app usage, browsing activity in Edge/IE, extended logs, and memory dumps with potential user content fragments.
If you submit optional data, more information is collected to troubleshoot complex bugs and improve products and services, but Microsoft uses minimization and sampling techniques to avoid receiving everything from every device. Even so, it's a configuration that, from a privacy perspective, It is advisable to review and adjust downwards when it is not strictly necessary.
Windows builds the calls based on these usage databases. Custom offersThese are suggestions, ads, and recommendations about features, apps, or hardware, both from Microsoft and third parties, that appear within the system. These offers may combine diagnostic data, your account information, and activity on other Microsoft services (Bing, Xbox, Microsoft 365, etc.), unless you turn off personalization in Settings and on the Personalized Ads and Offers page of your account.
Location, voice, input, and synchronization services in Windows
The Windows location service combines data from GPS, Wi-Fi networks, cell towers, and IP address To locate the device with greater or lesser precision, Microsoft aggregates and anonymizes information about access points and antennas to improve its services. Apps, websites, and system features can access your location if you allow it, either precisely or generally (city, region). You can always see which apps have access and revoke it at any time.
Even with location services disabled, some third-party websites or desktop applications can estimate your location using other means (IP address, Bluetooth, mobile network). And in emergency calls, Windows will attempt to send the precise location even if the option is disabled, for obvious security reasons.
The Find My Device feature lets you locate a lost or stolen Windows computer. To use it, an administrator must enable the option, sign in with their Microsoft account, and have location services enabled. The device's location can be viewed at account.microsoft.com/devices, and the user is notified when someone tries to locate it.
Regarding voice, Windows offers on-device and cloud-based speech recognition. By enabling online speech recognition, you allow apps and features like voice dictation or voice typing to send voice recordings to Microsoft servers to transcribe them more accurately. Microsoft says it won't store or listen to these recordings without additional permission, but if privacy is your priority, you can limit yourself to local recognition, which doesn't send audio to the cloud.
Voice activation allows certain apps to "listen" for a keyword even when the screen is locked. If you enable it, anyone near the device can trigger actions with that word. It's important to check this in Settings > Privacy > Microphone and Voice. which apps have permission to listen and when.
Windows also personalizes handwritten and keyboard input by collecting words you type, corrections, and terms you add to the dictionary to improve suggestions and prediction. This personalization is stored locally and can be reset by deleting your "personal dictionary" if you don't want that history to be kept.
Finally, when you sign in with your Microsoft account, the system can sync settings, wallpapers, passwords, history, and more via the cloud, so that Your experience is replicated across multiple devices.You can disable synchronization globally or by category, and delete the data stored in the account from the devices section of your online profile.
Basic cybersecurity: protecting accounts, devices, and privacy
In addition to Windows' internal settings, there are several general guidelines that greatly reduce your risk exposure. The first is obvious but often ignored: use strong and unique passwords For each account, do not share them and change them periodically. Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security.
Install extensions that block ads and trackers in your browser, as well as use a Reliable VPN for encrypting trafficIt's especially useful on public or unreliable Wi-Fi networks. However, the VPN must be trustworthy: a free and opaque VPN can end up being worse than using nothing at all.
Another good practice is to limit the information you share: physical address, phone number, routines, financial data, or intimate photos. Avoiding risky practices like sexting with people or services you don't control reduces the likelihood of extortion, sextortion, or non-consensual dissemination of contentIf it still happens, it's crucial to keep evidence (screenshots, links) and report it.
It's worth reviewing the Privacy options for social networks, browsers, and mobile apps And manage your messaging privacy in Windows. Configure who can see your posts, whether your profile is public or friends-only, whether they can be indexed by search engines, and disable automatic face tagging whenever possible. In browsers, adjust cookies, tracking blockers, and permissions for your camera, microphone, or notifications.
Keeping your operating system, browsers, antivirus software, and applications up to date is essential: updates fix known vulnerabilities that attackers ruthlessly exploit. On Windows, go to Settings > Windows Update and click "Check for updates." You can configure Automatic Updates to minimize oversights.
When installing apps on mobile devices or PCs, check the permissions requested: if a flashlight app asks for access to contacts, microphone, and location, that's a bad sign. Only download from authorized sources. official sources and reliable developersSome pirate websites disguise malware as supposed installers or cracks.
Malware, online fraud and the role of “digital common sense”
Malware (malicious software) encompasses everything from viruses, worms, and Trojans to invasive adware, spyware that monitors your activity, ransomware that encrypts your files and demands a ransom, and remote control tools. The consequences range from encryption or deletion of information and from theft of bank data to identity theft and serious financial losses.
The most common infection vectors are email (with attachments such as .exe, .pdf, .zip, or .rar files, or links to malicious websites), unsafe downloads, USB drives, manipulated websites, and social media with deceptive links. Sometimes, not even a mistake on our part is necessary: an unpatched vulnerability in the system is enough for an attacker to gain access.
To protect you, the minimum package includes: updated antivirus, active firewall, external backups and user accounts without administrator privileges for everyday use. Backups should be stored on a separate device (external drive, reliable cloud storage) so that if malware encrypts or wipes your computer, you can recover your data.
Online scams are increasingly relying on social engineering. They reach minors through game chats, social media, or emails, and often promise... gifts, incredible discounts, or urgent assistanceTo prevent them, we must educate people in critical thinking: be wary of anything that seems too good to be true, don't click on strange links, carefully check the URL (many fake websites imitate legitimate ones by changing a letter) and don't download attachments from unknown senders.
In Spain, the Internet User Security Office (OSI) and INCIBE offer guides, alerts and a helpline (017) to resolve doubts and report scams. In addition, it's always advisable to check if a website uses HTTPS (the padlock in the address bar) and, if you have any suspicions, analyze links with services like VirusTotal or URLVoid.
Security tools built into Windows
Windows includes a suite of features designed to strengthen your security if you take the time to activate and review them from time to time. Device encryption, based on BitLocker, protects the data stored on your hard drive: if someone steals your computer, You will not be able to read its contents without the recovery keyThat key is usually stored in your Microsoft account (OneDrive), although you can manage and store it in another secure location.
The Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) runs periodically through Windows Update, scans for and removes certain known types of malware, and sends Microsoft a report detailing the infections, errors, and device information it finds. You can disable these reports if you wish, but you will lose some of the collective intelligence that helps improve your defenses.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus monitors files and processes running on your computer in real time, detecting malware, potentially unwanted applications, and other dangerous content. If you don't have another antivirus program running, it turns on by default. It also relies on SmartScreen and Intelligent Application Control to block suspicious downloads and programs before you open them, by comparing file hashes, certificates, and download locations with reputation lists.
The Windows Firewall, configurable from Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & Network Protection, controls incoming and outgoing connections, preventing unauthorized access. It is important to ensure that it is enabled on all network profiles (domain, private, and public).
Windows Hello takes the leap to local biometric authentication, allowing Log in using face, fingerprint, or irisThe biometric template is generated on the device and is not sent to Microsoft: what is saved is a non-reversible mathematical representation, not the photo or image of the fingerprint. If you stop using it, you can delete this data from Settings.
Along with all this, features like "Find My Device," Microsoft Family Safety, backups, and settings synchronization help to combine safety, comfort and controlas long as you review what is being synced, who is managing the team, and what data is being shared with Microsoft or your organization.
In short, the body has become another form of identification within the Windows ecosystem and the digital world: our face, voice, or fingerprint are keys as powerful as a password, but infinitely more difficult to change if something goes wrong. Therefore, understanding the rules that protect personal data, knowing how and what Windows collects, adjusting privacy settings wisely, and maintaining a good digital hygiene And taking advantage of built-in security tools is the best way to to continue enjoying technology without giving away more of our privacy than is strictly necessary.
