The Outlook email app for iOS and Android

Several members of our UFV community have recently inquired about using the new Outlook app for iOS and Android devices. Please be advised that because of several security and privacy issues that have surfaced, IT Services is recommending that this app not be used as a client for UFV mail.

The primary security concern is that Microsoft is capturing and storing users’ personal information including username and password, contact information and calendar data. This external storage increases the risk of this personal information being stolen and compromised.

The chief privacy concern is that all email accessed through the app is stored on U.S.-based servers. As UFV email is likely to contain personal information related to our students or employees, using this app almost certainly violates existing British Columbia privacy legislation.

Therefore, IT Services strongly discourages use of this mobile Outlook app.

For more information, contact Christopher Jones at Christopher.Jones@ufv.ca

02/27/2015