I said I'd counted 37 areas of concern in the Settings/Privacy part of Windows 10. I just went back and counted again. Now there are 47! I don't know if I just missed some earlier or some have been added since the last time I looked. I don't call these spyware, malware, or any of the hyperbolic other things, I call them snoopware. I'm listing these 47 below. I haven't seen MS, Ed Bott, or anybody else explain why folks shouldn't be concerned about them. Depending on what the meaning of "what is is" you could say they aren't spyware. OTOH my father, who was a lawyer, often lectured my brother and me that it's not enough to avoid wrong doing - you have the appearance of wrong doing. This list certainly doesn't avoid the appearance of wrong doing, and an understandable explanation to the contrary is sorely absent at the present time.
Here's that list:
1) Let apps use my advertising ID for experiences across apps.
2)Turn on SmartScreen Filter to check web content (URLs) that Windows Store apps use.
3) Send Microsoft info about how I write to help us improve typing and writing in the future.
4) Let websites provide locally relevnt content by accessing my language list.
5) If this setting is on, each person who signs in to this device can change their own location settings. ...
6) When location is on, the locations obtained to meet the needs of your apps and services will be stored for a limited time on the device. ...
7) Let apps use my camera.
8-12) Choose apps that can use your camera. 3D Builder, App connector, Food & Drink, Microsoft Edge, Onenote.
13) Microphone. Let apps use my microphone.
14-17) 3D Builder, MS Edge, Voice Recorder, Xbox.
1
Speech, Inking & Typing. "Get to know me".
19) Account Info. Let apps access my name, picture, and other account info.
20-22) Contacts. Chose apps that can access contacts. App connector, Mail and Calendar, Windows Shell Experience Host.
23-24) Calendar. Let apps access my calendar. App connector, Mail and Calendar.
25) Call History. Let apps acess my call history.
26) Email. Let apps access and send email.
27) Messaging. Let apps read or send messages (text or MMS)
2
Radios - Some apps use radios--like Bluetooth--in your device to send and receive data. Sometimes, apps need to turn these radios on and off to work their magic.
29) Sync with devices.
30) Use trusted devices. USB2.0-CRW.
31) Phone Companion.
32) Feedback frequency. Diagnostic and usage data.
33-47 Background apps. Let apps run in the background. Choose which apps can receive info, send notifications, and stay up-to-date, even when you're not using them. ... There are 15 of these.