# Windows Voice Typing privacy rating

Dictation feature built into Windows 11, opened with Windows key + H, that converts speech to text in any text field using Microsoft's online speech recognition.

## Summary

Windows Voice Typing scores 13 out of 100 (grade F) on the dictation and transcription criteria. It meets 1 of 6 criteria: no training on recordings. It does not meet open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, independent audit and runs on the device. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.

- Website: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc
- Jurisdiction: United States. Five Eyes member. Subject to the US CLOUD Act.
- Platforms: Windows
- Home page trackers: none found
- Category: [Dictation and transcription](https://privacyratings.com/speech-to-text/)
- Also rated: [Outlook.com](https://privacyratings.com/email-providers/outlook-com/) (Email providers), [Microsoft Outlook](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/microsoft-outlook/) (Email clients), [Microsoft Defender for Office 365](https://privacyratings.com/spam-filters/microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) (Spam and virus filtering), [Microsoft Exchange Server](https://privacyratings.com/mail-server-software/microsoft-exchange-server/) (Mail server software), [Microsoft Edge](https://privacyratings.com/browsers/microsoft-edge/) (Browsers), [Bing](https://privacyratings.com/search-engines/bing/) (Search engines), [Microsoft Authenticator](https://privacyratings.com/two-factor-authentication/microsoft-authenticator/) (Two-factor authentication), [BitLocker](https://privacyratings.com/file-encryption/bitlocker/) (File encryption), [SDelete](https://privacyratings.com/data-erasers/sdelete/) (Data erasers), [Microsoft Defender Antivirus](https://privacyratings.com/anti-malware/microsoft-defender-antivirus/) (Anti-malware), [Microsoft Teams](https://privacyratings.com/team-chat/microsoft-teams/) (Team chat), [Microsoft Azure](https://privacyratings.com/server-hosting/microsoft-azure/) (Server hosting), [Microsoft SwiftKey](https://privacyratings.com/keyboards/microsoft-swiftkey/) (Mobile keyboards), [Windows 11](https://privacyratings.com/desktop-operating-systems/windows-11/) (Desktop operating systems), [Media Creation Tool](https://privacyratings.com/os-installers/media-creation-tool/) (OS downloaders and bootable USB tools), [PowerToys Command Palette](https://privacyratings.com/launchers/powertoys-command-palette/) (App launchers), [Windows Clipboard History](https://privacyratings.com/clipboard-managers/windows-clipboard-history/) (Clipboard managers), [SigCheck](https://privacyratings.com/windows-hardening/sigcheck/) (Windows hardening), [Hyper-V](https://privacyratings.com/virtual-machines/hyper-v/) (Virtual machines), [Microsoft OneNote](https://privacyratings.com/notes/microsoft-onenote/) (Notes), [Microsoft Visio](https://privacyratings.com/diagrams/microsoft-visio/) (Diagrams and whiteboards), [Outlook Calendar](https://privacyratings.com/calendars/outlook-calendar/) (Calendars), [Microsoft Bookings](https://privacyratings.com/scheduling/microsoft-bookings/) (Scheduling), [Microsoft To Do](https://privacyratings.com/task-management/microsoft-to-do/) (Task management), [Microsoft 365](https://privacyratings.com/office-suites/microsoft-365/) (Office suites), [Snipping Tool](https://privacyratings.com/screen-recording/snipping-tool/) (Screenshots and screen recording), [Xbox Game Bar](https://privacyratings.com/screen-recording/xbox-game-bar/) (Screenshots and screen recording), [Microsoft Forms](https://privacyratings.com/forms/microsoft-forms/) (Forms and surveys), [Microsoft Translator](https://privacyratings.com/translation/microsoft-translator/) (Translation), [Microsoft Copilot](https://privacyratings.com/ai-assistants/microsoft-copilot/) (AI assistants), [Microsoft OneDrive](https://privacyratings.com/cloud-storage/microsoft-onedrive/) (Encrypted cloud storage), [Visual Studio Code](https://privacyratings.com/code-editors/visual-studio-code/) (Code editors), [Windows Terminal](https://privacyratings.com/terminals/windows-terminal/) (Terminals), [.NET MAUI](https://privacyratings.com/app-frameworks/net-maui/) (Cross-platform app frameworks), [ASP.NET Core](https://privacyratings.com/dotnet-frameworks/asp-net-core/) (.NET web frameworks), [Blazor](https://privacyratings.com/dotnet-frameworks/blazor/) (.NET web frameworks), [Microsoft Clarity](https://privacyratings.com/web-analytics/microsoft-clarity/) (Website analytics)
- Grade: F (13/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | No | Closed source. |  |
| No trackers or telemetry | No | Required Windows diagnostic data is sent to Microsoft and can only be turned off on Enterprise, Education and Server editions. | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/configure-windows-diagnostic-data-in-your-organization |
| No ads or data sales | No | Windows has an advertising ID, and Microsoft uses product usage data for personalized advertising. | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/privacystatement#mainadvertisingmodule |
| Independent audit | No | No independent audit is published. |  |
| Runs on the device | No | Voice typing uses online speech recognition powered by Azure Speech services and needs an internet connection. | https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc |
| No training on recordings | Yes | Voice clips are contributed for product improvement only if the user opts in; otherwise Microsoft does not store or sample the recordings. | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/privacystatement#mainspeechinkingtypingmodule |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/speech-to-text/windows-voice-typing/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/speech-to-text/windows-voice-typing.md