Microsoft no fan of existing WebRTC standard, proposes its own to get Skype onboard

Microsoft, objecting to a web standard promoted by its competitors? Get out. While Firefox, Opera and now Chrome have implemented WebRTC on some level for plugin-free VoIP and webcam chats, Microsoft doesn't think the existing, proposed standard is up to snuff for linking with existing devices or obeying "key web tenets." It's suggesting a new CU-RTC-Web standard to fix what it claims is broken with WebRTC. Thankfully, the changes are more technical improvements than political maneuvering: Microsoft wants a peer-to-peer transport level that gives more control as well as to reduce some of the requirements that it sees holding the technology back as of today. There's no doubt an economic incentive for a company that wants to push Skype in the browser, but the format is already in front of the W3C and could become a real cross-platform standard. If other W3C members are willing to (slightly) reinvent the wheel, Microsoft's approach could get Chrome and Internet Explorer users talking -- no, really talking.

Microsoft Privacy Statements: A New Look

As we increasingly rely on technology for many aspects of our lives, the amount of data created continues to grow at an exponential rate. An important challenge for organizations is to provide privacy statements describing the collection, use and protection of data that are straightforward, yet comprehensive. Clarity and simplicity are key for time-pressed consumers, but large enterprises, governments, and other high-tech savvy individuals often need highly detailed information to use online services with confidence.
With each of these audiences in mind, we are unveiling initial improvements to the look and feel of many of our online privacy statements. We believe the changes enhance the appearance and functionality of our privacy statements, and enable us to more effectively layer important information. Our hope is that the changes will make privacy information easier to locate and use for many consumers.
Microsoft is condensing our privacy statements, just making them easier for people to find the information they want at the level of detail they want. There are no material changes to our data-collection and use practices. We stand behind our policies and remain steadfast in the data-protection commitments we have made. Customers can continue to rely on the privacy practices they’ve come to expect and appreciate from Microsoft.
Indeed, in 2006 we were one of the first companies to develop and deploy a layered privacy statement. At the time, that was forward-thinking. But, given the growth of online services and improvements in web technologies and design, we saw an opportunity to enhance how our statements are presented. Our new format will increase usability without sacrificing the detailed information that many customers, regulators, and policymakers expect and want to see.
The new format will enable greater structural consistency across privacy statements for different Microsoft products and services. It will also help customers go directly to the privacy statement for the specific product or service they’re using, rather than navigating through a general privacy statement and the many supplements that were added as the number of our products and services grew.  Our new right-hand navigation will help customers link directly to their desired section in the statement they are currently viewing. The horizontal buttons at the top can be used to switch between different privacy statements.

The migration to the new format will be a steady and gradual transition. Microsoft.com and Bing are the first to make the change. Others will follow over time.
We hope our customers agree the new approach provides clearer and simpler summaries of our privacy practices, as well as detailed explanations for those who need or want them. We believe the changes will increase transparency by making it easier for people to locate and use relevant privacy information.