OL97: Details of Private Appointments Can Be Viewed by Others

MORE INFORMATION

When using the Meeting Planner in Outlook, it is possible to see the free and busy times of those you are inviting to a meeting. You can view the details of the blocks of time someone is busy by right-clicking that time period. You can prevent others from being able to view the details of an appointment by setting the appointment as private. Version 8.0 of Outlook enables others who have been given at least Read permission to view your private appointments.

Steps to Reproduce Problem

These steps require two separate computers running Outlook 97, version 8.0.

1. In Outlook, on computer A, right-click the Calendar icon the Outlook Bar and click Properties.
2. Click the Permissions tab and click Add.
3. Click to select the name of the computer B user and click Add and then click OK.
4. Click to select the name of the user you just added.
5. In the Permissions area, click to select the Read items check box and click OK.
6. On the File menu, click New, and then click Appointment.
7. Type the word "test" in the Subject field.
8. Click to select the Private check box.
9. Click Save and Close.
10. In Outlook, on computer B, click the Calendar icon.
11. On the Calendar menu, click Plan a Meeting.
12. Under the All Attendees column, type the name of of the computer A user and press the TAB key.
13. Right-click the block of time for the appointment created in step 9.

The subject of the appointment is displayed even though the appointment is private. Outlook 97, version 8.01 will display the word Busy.