Cloud or Local? Microsoft Word & adoc Studio In Comparison

This question concerns many people. Does it end up in the cloud with Microsoft – or stay safely on your own computer? This article is about data protection, about laws in the USA and Europe, and about an alternative called adoc Studio. Are you ready? Then grab a coffee and let's get started!

Microsoft Word and Your Data: What Does Microsoft Say?

Microsoft Word is part of Microsoft 365 and is by default closely linked to the cloud. When you save a new document, Word often suggests OneDrive as the storage location. In fact, OneDrive is the default storage location for Word files in Office 365. You can of course also save locally on “This PC”, but Microsoft gently nudges you toward the cloud.

What Does Microsoft Itself Say About Handling Your Files?

According to Microsoft, you remain the owner of your content even when it is stored in the cloud. Your Word documents stored in OneDrive therefore still belong to you. Microsoft stresses in its documentation that you retain control over your data and that it is only accessed with your permission. Sounds reassuring, doesn’t it?

Microsoft also promises transparent settings. In Word, for example, there is the Trust Center with privacy options where you can decide what data Word is allowed to send. Some services (such as AI features or online spell check) are considered “optional connected experiences” – you can disable them so that Word sends less data to Microsoft. Nevertheless, Word hardly works without any data transfer today. Features such as AutoSave or real-time collaboration only work when the document is in the cloud (OneDrive/SharePoint). As soon as you work online, at least technical information flows to Microsoft.

User Uncertainty: Where Do My Contents Go?

Despite Microsoft’s assurances, many users remain skeptical. Have you ever wondered whether Word is “secretly” uploading content? This uncertainty is not unfounded.

For example, a German data-protection officer found that Office 365, in its default setting, can transfer personal information to the USA – where US authorities could potentially access it. Just the idea (“do my data end up with some US officials?”) is unsettling.

Then there is telemetry. Office collects usage data to improve the software. Did you know that it can sometimes even transmit snippets of text from your documents? A study commissioned by the Dutch government showed that Office telemetry data contained not only technical info but also content such as sentences from documents and e-mail subject lines. This shocked many and violates EU data-protection rules (GDPR), according to the Dutch auditors.

No wonder users ask themselves:

What ends up in the cloud without my noticing?

Another practical example: Many people use OneDrive synchronization, often without consciously enabling it – for instance when Windows offers to back up the “Documents” folder. Suddenly Word files are in the cloud even though you thought they were only local. Do you still feel fully informed? The combination of cloud-first defaults and opaque background processes creates an uneasy feeling. You don’t feel you have absolute control over your own data.

US CLOUD Act vs. EU GDPR – Who Protects What?

Next, let’s look at the legal frameworks. After all, trust and security also depend on which laws are in the background.

USA – the CLOUD Act: In the USA there has been the CLOUD Act (“Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act”) since 2018. It obliges US companies (like Microsoft) to give authorities access to stored data on request – no matter where that data is physically located. In other words: even if your Word file is on a European Microsoft server, US authorities can legally access it. For privacy enthusiasts, that sounds alarming. US companies are therefore always partly subject to US law, and laws such as the CLOUD Act or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) open wide the door for government access.

EU – the GDPR: In Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies. It sets strict rules to keep your personal data protected. What does that mean in practice? A company like Microsoft must be transparent about what happens to your data and needs a legitimate basis or your consent to process it. Transfers of data to third countries (e.g. the USA) are only permitted if an adequate level of protection is ensured – for example through special contracts. Under European law, your data should therefore not simply fall under the reach of foreign states. In fact, the European Court of Justice clarified in the 2020 “Schrems II” decision that US laws like the CLOUD Act are hardly compatible with the GDPR. Once personal data flows to the USA, they fall under US mass-surveillance laws – which is illegal from an EU perspective.

What does this dilemma mean for you as an end user? Do you trust Microsoft to comply with the GDPR and protect your data from third-party access? Microsoft points out it has successfully challenged US data requests and doesn’t hand over everything without a fight. Nevertheless, a residual risk remains because US companies must obey US laws. The GDPR gives you rights (e.g. access, deletion of your data stored by Microsoft), but whether your data really remains untouched in the cloud is a grey area for many.

Local Alternative: How adoc Studio Protects Your Data

Isn't there another way? Are there tools where I decide where my content is stored?

This is where adoc Studio comes in – a counter-proposal to Word for security-conscious users.

What is adoc Studio? Imagine a modern text editor that gives you complete freedom. Unlike Word, adoc Studio does not force you into the cloud. Your data is stored locally by default on your device. You don’t have to set up an online account to get started and nothing is automatically sent to external servers. So if you’re working on a confidential document, you can be sure: it stays on your hard drive – exactly where you save it.

No cloud unless you want it: adoc Studio lets you decide for yourself if and when you use a cloud. Maybe you want to edit your document on multiple devices – then you can link a cloud service of your choice. The nice thing is: you have the choice. This means you can even stay completely offline for sensitive content. Confidential report for your boss? Remains under your control, offline on your computer. Private diary? Yours alone – no copy in any data center.

Transparency and control: Because adoc Studio manages your files locally, you always know where your data is. There are no hidden telemetry uploads to the vendor. If the program communicates with the internet, it is because you have actively triggered it (e.g. when exporting or uploading to your cloud). This transparency fosters trust. It feels like you have the keys to your documents again – no one else is looking over your shoulder.

Let’s compare the differences at a glance:

More Security Through Freedom of Choice

Trust is good, control is better.

With your documents, you probably want both – to trust a service and still not lose control. Microsoft Word offers many convenience features, but when it comes to privacy, some users feel uneasy because a lot happens automatically in the cloud. Laws like the GDPR are meant to protect, but they reach their limits when US providers are involved.

adoc Studio shows an alternative path: store locally what should stay local. Use a cloud only when you want to. This clear separation can be a real boon for security-conscious users. You keep data sovereignty, know exactly where your content is stored, and minimize the risk of third-party access.

In the end, the choice is yours. Do you want to store your texts in Microsoft’s cloud, or would you rather keep them on your own hard drive? For anyone who wants to play it safe, adoc Studio is a clear alternative – with full transparency and control over your own data. And let’s be honest: the good feeling of holding the reins in your own hands is priceless, isn’t it?