Microsoft has released an extensive privacy policy page that deals with (among other things) exactly how the Kinect will work.

The document includes a massive amount of information on the Kinect, including the collection of certain data, the saving or deletion of that data, and the ability to turn the Kinect off.

The facial recognition technology works by measuring the distances between points on your face, and then generating a value represented by a set of very large numbers. Microsoft says:

“No one could look at the numbers and know they represent you. This information stays on the console and is not shared with anyone.”

For your body, the Kinect will create a stick figure of you, which Microsoft says it can collect and use data from while you are playing online. Such data is deleted when the Xbox One is switched off. Microsoft stresses that the stick figure the Kinect generates of your body cannot be used to identify you.

Microsoft says it can listen and collect your voice commands, but also points out that it will not listen to Skype calls:

“You should not expect any level of privacy concerning your use of the live communication features such as voice chat, video and communications in live-hosted gameplay sessions offered through the Services. We may monitor these communications to the extent permitted by law, but we cannot monitor the entire Service and make no attempt to do so.  You understand that others can record and use these communications. Communications in live-hosted gameplay sessions may also be broadcast to others. Please note that Xbox does not listen in on Skype calls.”

“Services” in this context includes Xbox Live, Games For Windows Live, and Xbox consoles. The entire page can be read here, but it’s long read if you want to cover every section.

What do you think? Does this answer your questions on Kinect, or does it raise more? Let us know in the comments below.