Microsoft closes Docs.com search function after finding sensitive data – update

Microsoft has closed Docs.com’s search function after internet users found sensitive data such as personal data, credit card details and social security numbers. It seems that users accidentally released the documents through the service.

Several Twitter users reported the discovery of sensitive data via Docs.com’s search function last weekend. Among other things, it turned out to be name and address details, lists of passwords, credit card details, driver’s license numbers, and social security numbers. In addition, the search function gave access to documents about loans, divorces and investment portfolios, MSPowerusers writes.

Microsoft responded to the notifications by closing the search function. The cause of the privacy leak seems to lie with users themselves. They don’t seem to have realized that by default they reveal the content when uploading documents.

Docs.com is an Office service for sharing Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Sway, and PDF documents. After uploading, users can control who gets access to it. Microsoft told ZDNet that it is taking steps to help users who have accidentally published documents containing sensitive data.

Update, 9:21: Microsoft has put the search function back online after previously removing it.