VSCode collects data from its users, here's how to disable that
Tags: discuss, privacy, vscode
Published: 2021-01-12 15:05:59


**TLDR:** VSCode license agreement and Microsoft's and Privacy Policy agreement does collect user data, but doesn't mention selling them to third parties. It may be used to help Microsoft improve VSCode, but can still optionally delete it.

### What is Visual Studio Code?

Visual Studio Code, or VSCode for shot, is the most popular IDE according to TOP IDE Index with a 26% market share, 10% above the previous IDE, Eclipse. It is a free, open source Text Editor made by Microsoft. It is compatible on a variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

### What Does Microsoft Do With Your Data?

It's Microsoft, the people that tracks you on their operating system, so this isn't a surprise that they track you. But what do they do with it? And most importantly, how do I protect my privacy?

You can read the full license [here](https://code.visualstudio.com/license)

> **2 DATA.**

> **a Data Collection.** The software may collect information about you and your use of the software, and send that to Microsoft. Microsoft may use this information to provide services and improve our products and services. You may opt-out of many of these scenarios, but not all, as described in the product documentation located at <https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/supporting/faq#_how-to-disable-telemetry-reporting>. There may also be some features in the software that may enable you and Microsoft to collect data from users of your applications. If you use these features, you must comply with applicable law, including providing appropriate notices to users of your applications together with Microsoft's privacy statement. Our privacy statement is located at <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=824704>. You can learn more about data collection and use in the help documentation and our privacy statement. Your use of the software operates as your consent to these practices.

> **b Processing of Personal Data.** To the extent Microsoft is a processor or subprocessor of personal data in connection with the software, Microsoft makes the commitments in the European Union General Data Protection Regulation Terms of the Online Services Terms to all customers effective May 25, 2018, at <https://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9840733>.

Some important information is that you can opt out of this, but you can't fully opt out of this. This also gives you a link to disable telemetry tracking.

According to the [privacy policy](https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement#mainenterprisedeveloperproductsmodule) specific to this software

> **General**. When a customer tries, purchases, uses, or subscribes to Enterprise and Developer Products, or obtains support for or professional services with such products, Microsoft receives data from you and collects and generates data to provide the service (including improving, securing, and updating the service), conduct our legitimate business operations, and communicate with the customer.

Basically, as of now, they don't mention that they sell your information to third parties. They may use your data to improve their products and services. Some examples they listed in how they use your data include:

> When a customer engages with a Microsoft sales representative, we collect the customer's name and contact data, along with information about the customer's organization, to support that engagement.

> When a customer interacts with a Microsoft support professional, we collect device and usage data or error reports to diagnose and resolve problems.

> When a customer pays for products, we collect contact and payment data to process the payment.

> When Microsoft sends communications to a customer, we use data to personalize the content of the communication.

> When a customer engages with Microsoft for professional services, we collect the name and contact data of the customer's designated point of contact and use information provided by the customer to perform the services that the customer has requested.

If you want to protect your privacy you can disable this under `Settings > Search "telementry" > Telemetry: Enable Telemetry`

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*_e-4AFcjcPb6PcY43OqA0A.png)

Thanks for reading my post! I believe reading Terms of Service, Contracts, Licences, Privacy Policies, etc. To be important but understandably nobody reads them.

VSCode's Terms of Service in general are pretty fair and reasonable.

However, if you want to go a step further in your privacy use [vscodium](https://vscodium.com/). You can find more information on their website.