Microsoft is how Do Not Track (DNT) is implemented in future versions of its web browsers, and will no longer enable it as the default state in Windows Express Settings. Microsoft implemented DNT two years ago in Internet Explorer 10 (IE 10), but some voiced concerns, especially given that discussions were underway at the time to establish an industrywide standard for user tracking preferences.

According to Brendon Lynch, Chief Privacy Officer, Microsoft, "we are updating our approach to DNT to eliminate any misunderstanding about whether our chosen implementation will comply with the W3C standard."

The latest draft of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standard reads:

"Key to that notion of expression is that the signal sent MUST reflect the user’s preference, not the choice of some vendor, institution, site, or network-imposed mechanism outside the user’s control; this applies equally to both the general preference and exceptions. The basic principle is that a tracking preference expression is only transmitted when it reflects a deliberate choice by the user. In the absence of user choice, there is no tracking preference expressed."

Lynch said that without the change in the DNT policy for the future browsers, websites that receive a DNT signal from the new browsers could argue that it doesn’t reflect the users’ preference, and therefore, choose not to honor it.

As a result, DNT will not be the default state in Windows Express Settings moving forward, but Microsoft said it would provide users with clear information on how to turn this feature on in the browser settings should they wish to do so.