Microsoft confirms Hotmail `data spill'

Microsoft has confirmed that a flaw in its Hotmail program inadvertently sends subscribers' email addresses to online advertisers.

Experts say the problem, known as "data spill", affects people who subscribe to HTML newsletters that include banner ads. Simply by reading the message, their email address is sent to the third-party company that delivered the banner. Microsoft said fixing the problem will require a complete redesign of Hotmail's technology, which it hopes to complete by next month.

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