From now on your Word documents are automatically saved to OneDrive. It's a disturbing idea

Microsoft is shifting the default save location for Word documents on Windows to OneDrive, a move that raises concerns about data privacy and security for European users. This change, announced at a recent event focused on OneDrive and Copilot, means all new documents will automatically save to the cloud. This shift away from local storage could have significant implications. Specifically, the new default setting in Word for Windows automatically saves documents to OneDrive and enables auto-saving. Microsoft argues that this change simplifies access to documents across different devices and locations. However, this approach prioritizes convenience over local control, potentially exposing sensitive data to the risks associated with cloud storage. This shift affects all users of Microsoft Word on Windows, compelling them to store documents on Microsoft's cloud platform by default. While offering the convenience of accessibility from anywhere, this change raises concerns about data sovereignty and the potential for unauthorized access or data breaches, which are of particular concern in Europe due to the stringent requirements of GDPR. The decision to prioritize cloud storage by default is a trend among major software providers. This change highlights the ongoing tension between convenience and the need for robust data protection measures in the digital landscape, especially as the EU emphasizes digital sovereignty.