Microsoft uses collected data to provide, improve, advertise and run its business
Microsoft says it uses the data it collects to provide you with experiences, and lists the purposes: providing its products (including updating, securing, troubleshooting, support and recommendations); improving and developing products; advertising and marketing to you (promotional communications, personalized advertising and relevant offers); and operating its business (analyzing performance, meeting legal obligations, developing its workforce and doing research). The detailed list that follows expands each purpose.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft uses the data we collect to provide you with rich, interactive experiences.
Provide our products, which includes updating, securing, and troubleshooting, as well as providing support and making recommendations.
Advertise and market to you, which includes sending promotional communications, personalized advertising, and presenting relevant offers.
We also use the data to operate our business, which includes analyzing our performance, meeting our legal obligations, developing our workforce, and doing research.
Qualifications & exceptions
This is a summary; later items give detail and some conditions.
Use & Processing · Permission or license
Microsoft may use your data to develop and train its AI models
As part of improving and developing its products, Microsoft says it may use your data to develop and train its AI models. The later product development item says this includes developing, training and fine-tuning AI models, including large language models, and that the data used is often de-identified. The wording is "may", and the statement links to a separate Copilot privacy FAQ for more, which is not supplied here.
Supporting quotations
we may use your data to develop and train our AI models
we may use your data to develop, train, and fine-tune our AI models, including large language models (LLMs)
we use data, often de-identified, to better understand our customers’ computing and productivity needs, and to train and fine-tune AI models
Qualifications & exceptions
"May use" is permissive; it does not say which data or which products.
The product development item says the data used is "often" de-identified, not always.
Not stated here
The linked Copilot privacy FAQ is not part of the supplied text.
The text does not say whether you can opt out of this use; control options may appear elsewhere in the statement.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Data is used to operate products, activate them, contact you and complete purchases
Microsoft uses data to operate and deliver its products, for example processing files you upload to OneDrive so you can access, edit and manage them. It may use your data to contact you about subscriptions, available product updates or your account. For product activation it uses device and application type, location and unique identifiers. For transactions it uses your payment and contact information to carry out your transactions and deliver your purchases.
Supporting quotations
We use data to operate and deliver our products, such as processing files you upload to OneDrive so you can access, edit, and manage them.
We may use your data to contact you for various reasons, such as to inform you about your subscriptions, tell you when product updates are available, or contact you about your account.
We use data like device and application type, location, and unique identifiers to activate products.
We use data like your payment and contact information to carry out your transactions with us and deliver your purchases.
Qualifications & exceptions
Communications use is stated as "may".
Use & Processing · Company practice
Support data is used to fix issues, investigate incidents, and voice data from calls may be used for authentication
Microsoft uses data to help troubleshoot and resolve issues, repair devices, investigate security incidents, and provide, improve and secure its products, services and training. It says it may use voice data from support calls for authentication and security purposes. Separately, it uses data to troubleshoot performance issues, develop updates and security patches and notify users of product updates, which may involve automated systems that detect security and safety issues.
Supporting quotations
We use the data to help us troubleshoot and resolve issues, repair devices, investigate security incidents, and to provide, improve, and secure the quality of our products, services, and training.
We may use voice data from support calls for authentication and security purposes.
We use data to troubleshoot and resolve performance issues, develop updates and security patches, and notify users of product updates.
This may include using automated systems to detect security and safety issues.
Qualifications & exceptions
Voice data from support calls: "may" be used, for authentication and security purposes.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Error reports, Bing queries and voice data are used to improve products
Microsoft uses data to improve its products, including adding new features and capabilities. Its examples are using error reports to improve security features, queries and clicks in Bing to improve search results, and voice data to develop and improve speech recognition accuracy.
Supporting quotations
We use data to improve our products, including adding new features and capabilities.
we use error reports to improve security features, queries and clicks in Bing to improve search results, and voice data to develop and improve speech recognition accuracy
Qualifications & exceptions
The three uses are given as examples.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Data, often de-identified, is used to develop new products and to train and fine-tune AI models
Microsoft uses data to develop new products, for example to better understand customers' computing and productivity needs and to train and fine-tune AI models that can shape new products. The text says the data is "often" de-identified, and that Microsoft may use your data to develop, train and fine-tune AI models, including large language models. A link points to a Copilot privacy FAQ that is not supplied here.
Supporting quotations
We use data to develop new products.
we use data, often de-identified, to better understand our customers’ computing and productivity needs, and to train and fine-tune AI models, which can shape the development of new products
Qualifications & exceptions
"Often de-identified" does not mean always de-identified.
Not stated here
The linked Copilot privacy FAQ is not part of the supplied text.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Data is used to send promotions, suggest offers and run prize contests
Microsoft uses data to send you promotional messages and to give you product information and offers likely to interest you, such as new games based on your activity. It uses your data to administer prize contests and events and to select and provide prizes to winners. For managing contact data, email subscriptions and promotional messages, the statement points to the How to access and control your personal data section.
Supporting quotations
We use data to send you promotional messages.
See the How to access and control your personal data section for information on managing your contact data, email subscriptions, and promotional messages.
Microsoft uses data to provide you with product information and offers likely to interest you, such as new games based on your activity.
We use your data to administer prize contests and events and to select winners.
Qualifications & exceptions
Managing promotional messages is covered in the access and control section.
Use & Processing · Restriction or exception
Data is used for ads on Microsoft and third-party properties, but not message or file content
Microsoft uses data for advertising on Microsoft and third-party properties, sometimes using automated processes to make ads more relevant. It states that it does not use what you say in emails, human-to-human chat, video calls or voice mail, or your personal files, photos or documents, to target ads to you. The statement points to its Advertising section for more details.
Supporting quotations
We use data for advertising on Microsoft and third-party properties, sometimes using automated processes to make ads more relevant.
Microsoft does not use what you say in emails, human-to-human chat, video calls or voice mail, or your personal files, photos, or documents to target ads to you.
Qualifications & exceptions
The exclusion covers email, human-to-human chat, video calls, voice mail and personal files, photos and documents.
Other data may still be used for ads; the Advertising section gives details.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Data is used for business reporting, fraud and rights protection, legal compliance and research
Microsoft uses data to analyze and improve its business, make decisions and report on performance. It uses data to detect and prevent fraud, resolve disputes, enforce agreements and protect its property, for example confirming software licenses to reduce piracy, and it may use automated processes to detect activity that violates its rights or others' rights. It processes data to comply with applicable laws, for example using customers' ages to meet obligations to protect children's privacy. It uses data for research, including AI and machine learning, for public interest and scientific purposes, with appropriate safeguards for individuals' rights and freedoms.
Supporting quotations
We use data to analyze and improve our business, make informed decisions, and report on our business’ performance.
We use data to detect and prevent fraud, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and protect our property.
We may use automated processes to detect and prevent activities that violate our rights and the rights of others, such as fraud.
We process data to comply with applicable laws.
With appropriate safeguards for individuals’ rights and freedoms, we use data for research, including AI and machine learning, for public interest and scientific purposes.
Qualifications & exceptions
Research use is stated to be with appropriate safeguards for individuals' rights and freedoms.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Processing uses automated and manual methods, including human review of AI results
Microsoft says its processing of personal data uses both automated and manual (human) methods, which often work together. As an example, to build, train and improve the accuracy of automated systems such as AI, it manually reviews some of the results against the underlying data. The text does not say how many results are reviewed or who reviews them.
Supporting quotations
Our processing of personal data involves both automated and manual (human) methods, which often work together.
we manually review some of the results against the underlying data
Qualifications & exceptions
Manual review is described for "some" results.
Not stated here
The text does not say who the reviewers are or how much data they see.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Cookies and web beacons personalize ads, track which ads you saw and measure ad-driven visits
Microsoft uses cookies to personalize ads based on your activity and says you can opt out as described in the access and control section. It also uses web beacons and similar technologies to understand which Microsoft ads shown on third-party websites and platforms drive visitors to its sites and apps, and these tools help deliver ads on external sites and platforms. It uses cookies to record ad views and clicks, such as which ads you have seen, to avoid showing the same ad repeatedly.
Supporting quotations
We use cookies to personalize ads based on your activity.
You can opt out as described in the How to access and control your personal data section of this privacy statement.
We also use web beacons and similar technologies to understand which Microsoft ads displayed on third-party websites and digital platforms drive visitors to our sites and apps.
We use cookies to record ad views and clicks, such as which ads you have seen.
Qualifications & exceptions
Personalization can be opted out of as described in the access and control section.
Use & Processing · Company commitment
Microsoft does not deliver personalized ads to accounts whose birthdate shows the user is under 18
Microsoft states that it does not deliver personalized advertising to children whose birthdate in their Microsoft account identifies them as under 18 years of age. The commitment depends on the birthdate in the account; the statement points to the Advertising and Microsoft account sections for details.
Supporting quotations
we do not deliver personalized advertising to children whose birthdate in their Microsoft account identifies them as under 18 years of age
Qualifications & exceptions
Depends on the birthdate recorded in the Microsoft account.
Not stated here
The text does not say how ads are handled for under-18 users who have no birthdate recorded or who are signed out.
Data may be stored and processed in your region, the United States, and wherever Microsoft or its providers operate
Microsoft may store and process your personal data in your region, the United States, and any other jurisdiction where Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries or service providers operate facilities. It lists major data centers in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Typically the primary storage location is in your region or in the United States, often with a backup in a data center in another region. Locations are chosen to operate services efficiently, improve performance and create redundancy in case of an outage or other problem.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft may store and process your personal data in your region, the United States, and any other jurisdiction where Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or service providers operate facilities.
Microsoft maintains major data centers in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Typically, the primary storage location is in your region or in the United States, often with a backup to a data center in another region.
Storage location(s) are chosen in order to operate and provide our services efficiently, improve performance, and create redundancies in order to protect the data in the event of an outage or other problem.
Qualifications & exceptions
"Typically" the primary location is in your region or the United States; this is not a guarantee.
Backups are "often" in another region.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Ads may follow your current activity or a profile built over time, and you can opt out of personalization
Microsoft says advertising helps it provide, support and improve some of its products. Ads may be shown based on your current interactions and may also be personalized using information about you over time. You can opt out of personalized ads on the personalized ads and offers page and opt out of sharing data with third parties for personalized ads on the third-party ad settings page. Microsoft says it receives and responds to the Global Privacy Control browser signal. It uses data other than message and file content for advertising on Microsoft and third-party properties.
Supporting quotations
Ads may be shown based on your current interactions with us, as well as personalized using information about you over time.
You can opt out of receiving personalized ads through our
can opt out of sharing data with third parties for personalized ads by visiting our
Microsoft receives and responds to the Global Privacy Control (GPC) browser opt-out signal.
We use other data for advertising on Microsoft and third-party properties.
Qualifications & exceptions
Opt-out covers personalization and third-party sharing for personalized ads, not all advertising.
Use & Processing · Restriction or exception
What you say in messages and calls and your personal files are not used to target ads
Microsoft states that it does not use what you say in email, human-to-human chat, video calls or voice mail, or your documents, photos or other personal files stored on your device or cloud storage, to target ads to you. It uses other data for advertising on Microsoft and third-party properties. The exclusion is about targeting ads; the text does not address other uses of that content.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft does not use what you say in email, human-to-human chat, video calls or voice mail, or your documents, photos, or other personal files stored on your device or cloud storage to target ads to you.
Qualifications & exceptions
The commitment concerns ad targeting only.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Ads can relate to your current interaction, including Copilot conversations and files you share
Ads may relate to the current interaction you are having with Microsoft, such as your Copilot conversations (including files you share), your current location, transactions, product usage, search queries or the content you are viewing. For example, a Bing search for pizza places in Seattle may show ads for local restaurants.
Supporting quotations
Ads may be shown that relate to the current interaction you are having with us, such as your Copilot conversations (including files you share); your current location; transactions; product usage; search queries; or the content you’re viewing.
Qualifications & exceptions
This covers ads tied to your current interaction, separate from profile-based personalization.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Edge activity feeds personalized ads when signed in, and third parties can use the Windows advertising ID
Certain products have their own personalized ads settings. If you are signed in with your Microsoft account, subject to your privacy settings, Microsoft uses your online activity in Microsoft Edge to show you personalized ads, and you can adjust Edge settings under Privacy and Services. In Windows, if the advertising ID is enabled in your Windows privacy settings, third parties can access and use it to deliver ads in apps.
Supporting quotations
Certain products have their own personalized ads settings.
if you’re signed in with your Microsoft account, subject to your privacy settings, we use your online activity in Microsoft Edge to show you personalized ads
if the advertising ID is enabled in your Windows privacy settings, third parties can access and use it to deliver ads in apps
Qualifications & exceptions
Edge personalization applies when signed in and subject to your privacy settings.
Third-party use of the advertising ID applies when it is enabled.
Use & Processing · Company commitment
No personalized ads to under-18 accounts, and no sensitive data for personalized advertising
Microsoft states that it does not deliver personalized advertising to children whose birthdate in their Microsoft account identifies them as under 18. It also states that Microsoft Advertising does not collect, process or disclose personal data that qualifies as "sensitive data" under applicable U.S. state data privacy laws for the purposes of providing personalized advertising. The sensitive data commitment is tied to those state-law definitions and to Microsoft Advertising.
Supporting quotations
We do not deliver personalized advertising to children whose birthdate in their Microsoft account identifies them as under 18 years of age.
Microsoft Advertising does not collect, process, or disclose personal data that qualifies as “sensitive data” under applicable U.S. state data privacy laws for the purposes of providing personalized advertising.
Qualifications & exceptions
The children commitment depends on the birthdate in the account.
The sensitive data commitment is limited to Microsoft Advertising and to sensitive data as defined under applicable U.S. state laws, for personalized advertising purposes.
Use & Processing · Company commitment
Microsoft uses generative AI across products and says it follows its AI Principles and Responsible AI Standard
Microsoft says it uses artificial intelligence in many products and services, including generative AI features, and that "Copilot" is a family of services, products and solutions using generative AI to produce outputs. It says its use of AI is subject to its AI Principles and Responsible AI Standard, and that its collection and use of personal data in developing and deploying AI features is consistent with the commitments in the privacy statement. Those principles and standard are linked, not supplied here.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft leverages artificial intelligence (AI) in many of our products and services, including by incorporating generative AI features.
Our use of AI is subject to Microsoft’s
our collection and use of personal data in developing and deploying our AI features is consistent with our commitments outlined throughout our privacy statement
Microsoft’s collection and use of data may differ depending on the service and the intended functionality in a given scenario.
our collection and use of personal data in developing and deploying our AI features is consistent with our commitments outlined throughout our privacy statement
Qualifications & exceptions
Data collection and use may differ depending on the Copilot service and the intended functionality.
Not stated here
The AI Principles and Responsible AI Standard are linked but not part of the supplied text.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Microsoft Copilot uses your prompts, location, language and settings and can act on other apps for you
The Copilot website and apps are the core of the consumer Copilot experience: you can search the web, create content, use features like Copilot Vision, and let Copilot interact with other apps, services and websites to take actions on your behalf. When you use Copilot it uses your prompts, location, language and related settings to provide helpful responses and improve services.
Supporting quotations
as well as let Microsoft Copilot interact with other apps, services, and websites to take actions on your behalf
When you use Microsoft Copilot, it will use your prompts, location, language, and related settings to provide helpful responses and improve services.
Qualifications & exceptions
Copilot can interact with other apps, services and websites to act on your behalf.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Copilot prompts and conversation data are used to improve services, for advertising, and to prevent abuse
Microsoft says Copilot uses prompts and related data to provide and improve services, including relevant advertising. You can manage your prompt history in the product and on the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard, and adjust your location, language and other privacy settings in the product. Microsoft also uses your conversation data to monitor performance, troubleshoot and fix bugs, prevent abuse, and provide and improve Copilot. Its safety practices are described in a linked Transparency Note, which is not supplied here.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft Copilot also uses prompts and related data to provide and improve services, including relevant advertising.
You can manage your prompt history in product and on the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard
We also use your conversation data to monitor performance, troubleshoot and fix bugs and issues, prevent abuse, and to provide and improve Microsoft Copilot.
Qualifications & exceptions
Advertising use is stated for prompts and related data.
Not stated here
The linked Transparency Note and privacy controls page are not part of the supplied text.
Use & Processing · Context
Copilot in Edge, Xbox, third-party platforms and enterprise settings follows different rules
Where Copilot appears in other Microsoft products, such as Edge and Xbox, data is generally used according to each product's primary uses, as described in those sections. If you use Copilot in third-party products and services, such as messaging platforms, Microsoft processes your data as described in the statement, but the third party's privacy policies and data processing may also apply. For enterprise customers, Copilot offers enhanced data protection and customization, with data collected and used as described in the Enterprise and Developer Products section.
Supporting quotations
In these cases, data is generally used according to each product’s primary uses.
the third party’s privacy policies and data processing activities may also apply
For enterprise customers, Microsoft Copilot offers enhanced data protection and customization. Data is collected and used as described in the Enterprise and Developer Products section.
Qualifications & exceptions
In other Microsoft products data is "generally" used according to each product's primary uses.
A third party's policies may apply in addition.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Copilot in Microsoft 365 subscriptions processes content you choose, only when you ask it to act
Copilot features in Microsoft 365 apps that come with Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium subscriptions apply large language model processing to content you choose to provide in apps such as Word, Excel, OneNote, Outlook and PowerPoint. Microsoft says Copilot uses the content in your files only when you ask it to perform a specific action on that specific content. It is not available in Office desktop licenses. Required service data about the operation of the service is collected during use, and Copilot handles data as described in the Productivity and Communications section. Linked Privacy Center and FAQ pages are not supplied here.
Supporting quotations
We do so by applying large language model (LLM) processing on the content you choose to provide in Microsoft 365 apps
Microsoft Copilot will use the content in your files only when you ask it to perform a specific action on that specific content
required service data is collected during your use of Microsoft Copilot
See the
Qualifications & exceptions
File content is used only when you ask for a specific action on it.
Applies to Microsoft 365 Personal, Family and Premium subscriptions.
Not stated here
The Copilot Privacy Center and FAQ pages are not part of the supplied text.
Use & Processing · Company commitment
Data you submit to Copilot Health is not used to train generative AI or for advertising or marketing
Microsoft states that the information you choose to submit to Copilot Health is used to provide and operate the Copilot Health service. It states that this information is not used to develop or train generative AI models and is not used for advertising or marketing purposes. This commitment is about the information you submit to Copilot Health; the Copilot Health FAQs are linked and not supplied here.
Supporting quotations
The information you choose to submit to Copilot Health is used to provide and operate the Copilot Health service.
It is not used to develop or train generative AI models, and it is not used for advertising or marketing purposes.
Qualifications & exceptions
The commitment covers information you choose to submit to Copilot Health.
Not stated here
The Copilot Health FAQs are not part of the supplied text.
Cross-references
narrows (model-proposed): Microsoft may use your data to develop and train its AI models — exception_to: The general statement says Microsoft may use data to develop and train AI models; for information submitted to Copilot Health it states it is not used to train generative AI models or for advertising.
Use & Processing · Company practice
For organization-provided products, Microsoft processes your data as the organization's contract describes
When you use a Microsoft product provided by your organization, Microsoft processes your personal data as described in its contract with the organization and as needed to provide the product and for Microsoft's related business operations. For questions about processing for your organization, you contact your organization. For questions about Microsoft's business operations in connection with providing products to your organization under the Product Terms, you contact Microsoft as described in the contact section.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft processes your personal data as described in the contract with your organization and as needed to provide the product and Microsoft’s related business operations.
For questions about Microsoft’s processing of your data for your organization, contact your organization.
Qualifications & exceptions
The organization's contract is not supplied here.
Not stated here
The contract with the organization and the Product Terms are not part of the supplied text.
Use & Processing · Company commitment
For K-12 school products, Microsoft commits not to sell, rent or use student data beyond educational purposes
For Microsoft products provided by your K-12 school, including Microsoft 365 Education, Microsoft states it will not collect or use student personal data beyond what is needed for authorized educational or school purposes, will not sell or rent student personal data, and will not use or share student personal data for advertising or similar commercial purposes. The list continues in the next section of the statement.
Supporting quotations
For Microsoft products provided by your K-12 school, including Microsoft 365 Education, Microsoft will:
not collect or use student personal data beyond that needed for authorized educational or school purposes;
not sell or rent student personal data;
not use or share student personal data for advertising or similar commercial purposes
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to products provided by a K-12 school.
Use & Processing · Company commitment
K-12: no advertising use, no student profiles beyond school purposes, and vendors held to the same commitments
Continuing the commitments for products provided by a K-12 school, Microsoft states it will not use or share student personal data for advertising or similar commercial purposes, such as providing personalized advertising to students; will not build a personal profile of a student other than to support authorized educational or school purposes or as authorized by the parent, guardian or student of appropriate age; and will require vendors who receive student personal data to provide educational services to implement the same commitments.
Supporting quotations
not use or share student personal data for advertising or similar commercial purposes, such as providing personalized advertising to students;
not build a personal profile of a student, other than for supporting authorized educational or school purposes or as authorized by the parent, guardian, or student of appropriate age; and
require that our vendors who receive student personal data in order to provide our educational services to implement these same commitments for student personal data
Qualifications & exceptions
Student profiles are allowed only for authorized school purposes or as authorized by the parent, guardian or student of appropriate age.
Use & Processing · User right or choice
Connected experiences analyze your content or download online content and can be turned off, with some exceptions
Microsoft 365 and Office provide experiences that are connected to and backed by cloud services. Examples are working with others on a document in OneDrive or translating a Word document. There are two types: experiences that analyze your content (using your file content to give design recommendations, editing suggestions or data insights, such as PowerPoint Designer) and experiences that download online content (such as templates or images). If you use connected experiences, Microsoft collects required service data to keep them reliable, up to date and secure. Privacy controls in the client apps let you configure connected experiences, but even if you turn them off certain functionality remains, such as syncing your mailbox in Outlook, plus the essential services. These controls are not available in Microsoft 365 for the web because it is already cloud-connected.
Supporting quotations
Experiences that use your file content to provide you with design recommendations, editing suggestions, data insights, and similar features.
Experiences that allow you to search and download online content including templates, images, 3D models, videos, and reference materials to enhance your documents.
If you choose to use connected experiences, we will collect required service data to help keep these connected experiences reliable, up to date, secure, and performing as expected.
But even if you turn off connected experiences, certain functionality will remain available, such as syncing your mailbox in Outlook, as well as essential services described below.
These controls are not available when using Microsoft 365 for the web since you will already be cloud-connected.
Qualifications & exceptions
Turning off connected experiences does not stop essential services or functions like mailbox sync.
Controls are not available in the web version.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Connected experiences send required service data, and text you translate is processed but not stored
When you use a connected experience, required service data needed to deliver the cloud-based experience is sent to and processed by Microsoft. Required service data can include information about the operation of the experience that keeps the underlying service secure, up to date and performing as expected. If you use a connected experience that analyzes your content, such as Translate in Word, the text you typed and selected is also sent and processed to provide it. Microsoft says your text and the translation are not stored by its service.
Supporting quotations
required service data necessary to deliver our cloud-based connected experiences is sent to and processed by Microsoft
Required service data can include information related to the operation of the connected experience that is needed to keep the underlying service secure, up to date, and performing as expected.
the text you typed and selected to translate is also sent and processed to provide you with the connected experience
Your text and the translation are not stored by our service.
Qualifications & exceptions
The "not stored" statement is given for the Translate in Word example.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Launcher's news feed shows personalized ads when you sign in, and local news and weather use your location or zip code
When you sign in to Launcher with your Microsoft account you get a personalized news feed and advertisements in the News Feed, synchronized across your devices. You can receive local curated news when you give Launcher permission to access your location, and manage ad preferences through the Microsoft privacy dashboard. For weather, Launcher shows MSN Weather on your home screen and gives local weather when you allow location access or provide your zip code.
Supporting quotations
When you sign in with your Microsoft account, you can enjoy a personalized news feed and advertisements in Launcher’s News Feed, synchronized across all your devices.
You can also receive local curated news when you grant Microsoft Launcher permission to access your location information.
You can manage your ad preferences through the
You can receive up-to-date local weather information when you allow Launcher to access your location or provide your zip code.
Qualifications & exceptions
Personalized news feed and ads apply when signed in.
Local news needs location permission; local weather needs location or a zip code.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Translator processes your text, image, voice and usage data and de-identifies samples used for product improvement
Microsoft Translator is a machine translation service, available as a stand-alone app for Android, iOS and Windows and integrated into products such as Translator for Bing and Translator for Microsoft Edge. It processes the text, image and voice data you submit, plus device and usage data, to provide translations, personalize your experiences and improve its products and services. When randomly sampling text and audio for product improvement, Microsoft uses business and technical measures designed to help de-identify the data, such as deleting identifiers and certain text like email addresses and some number sequences that could contain personal data. The wording is "designed to help", so de-identification is not guaranteed.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft Translator processes the text, image, and voice data you submit, as well as device and usage data, to provide translations, personalize your experiences, and improve our products and services.
Microsoft uses business and technical measures designed to help de‑identify submitted data — such as deleting identifiers and certain text like email addresses and some number sequences that could contain personal data — when randomly sampling text and audio for product improvement.
Qualifications & exceptions
De-identification measures are "designed to help", not guaranteed, and apply to random sampling for product improvement.
Not stated here
The linked speech recognition page on voice data is not part of the supplied text.
Use & Processing · Context
Search and browse products sense, process and act on information, learning and adapting over time
The statement describes search and browse products as connecting you with information and intelligently sensing, processing and acting on it, learning and adapting over time. For AI and Copilot capabilities in these products it refers to the Artificial Intelligence and Copilot section.
Supporting quotations
Search and browse products connect you with information and intelligently sense, process, and act on information—learning and adapting over time.
Search and browse products connect you with information and intelligently sense, process, and act on information—learning and adapting over time.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Copilot Search in Bing uses and collects personal data consistent with Bing's core web search
Bing includes Copilot Search, an AI-enhanced web search that reviews and summarizes search results from across the web and helps users create content. Microsoft states that Copilot Search's use and collection of personal data is consistent with Bing's core web search offering as described in this section.
Supporting quotations
Copilot Search’s use and collection of personal data is consistent with Bing’s core web search offering as described in this section.
Use & Processing · Context
Edge features that show MSN content, such as a new tab, follow the MSN section
Certain Edge features, such as opening a new tab, connect you to MSN content. Data use in MSN is covered by the MSN section of the statement rather than the Edge section.
Supporting quotations
Certain features in Microsoft Edge connect you to MSN content, such as when you open a new tab in the browser. Data use in MSN is covered by the MSN section of this privacy statement.
Use & Processing · Restriction or exception
The advertising ID setting does not control cookie-based or third-party personalized advertising
Microsoft says the Windows advertising ID setting does not apply to other methods of personalized advertising delivered by Microsoft or third parties, such as cookies used for personalized display ads on websites. Third-party products accessed through or installed on Windows may also deliver other forms of personalized advertising under their own privacy policies. Turning off the advertising ID therefore does not stop all personalized ads.
Supporting quotations
The advertising ID setting does not apply to other methods of personalized advertising delivered by Microsoft or third parties, such as cookies used to provide personalized display ads on websites.
Third-party products accessed through or installed on Windows may also deliver other forms of personalized advertising subject to their own privacy policies.
Live captions transcribe speech from online, downloaded or microphone audio; microphone transcription is off by default
Live captions transcribe audio to help you follow spoken content. They can caption any audio containing speech, whether online, downloaded to your device or received from your microphone. By default, transcribing microphone audio is disabled. Microsoft states that voice data that is captioned is processed only on your device and not shared to the cloud or with Microsoft.
Supporting quotations
Live captions can generate captions from any audio containing speech, whether the audio is online, downloaded to your device, or received from your microphone. By default, transcribing microphone audio is disabled.
Voice data that is captioned is only processed on your device and is not shared to the cloud or with Microsoft
Qualifications & exceptions
Microphone transcription is disabled by default.
Use & Processing · Company commitment
Voice data captioned by Live captions is processed only on your device
Microsoft states that voice data captioned through Live captions is processed only on your device and is not shared to the cloud or with Microsoft. This repeats and supports the Live captions description earlier in the Windows section.
Supporting quotations
Voice data that is captioned is only processed on your device and is not shared to the cloud or with Microsoft.
Use & Processing · User right or choice
Windows Update and Microsoft Update download updates, and you choose automatic installs or restart notifications
Windows Update provides software updates for Windows and supporting software such as manufacturer drivers and firmware, and Microsoft Update provides updates for other Microsoft software such as Microsoft 365. Windows Update automatically downloads Windows updates. You can configure it to install them automatically (recommended) or to notify you when a restart is needed. Microsoft Store apps are updated through the Microsoft Store.
Supporting quotations
Windows Update is a service that provides you with software updates for Windows software and other supporting software, such as drivers and firmware supplied by device manufacturers.
Windows Update automatically downloads Windows software updates to your device. You can configure Windows Update to automatically install these updates as they become available (recommended) or have Windows notify you when a restart is required to finish installing updates.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Click to Do analyzes screenshots on your device, and activity leaves it only when you choose
Click to Do can work on its own or with Windows Recall. It lets you capture and analyze screenshots, detect text and images and offer actions such as editing a screenshot or revising text. Microsoft says all activity stays on your device unless you explicitly choose otherwise, for example sending an image for a Bing search or asking for a summary of selected text, which is processed by Microsoft's Azure AI cloud service. If you use the microphone to search for text in a captured screenshot, the audio captured is not transmitted off your device.
Supporting quotations
All activity remains on your local device unless you explicitly choose, like sending an image for a Bing search, requesting a summary of selected text (which is processed by Microsoft’s Azure AI cloud service), or using another tool to modify a screenshot.
The audio captured by the microphone is not transmitted off your device.
Qualifications & exceptions
Data leaves the device only through actions you choose, such as a Bing image search or a cloud summary.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Windows Search can search your files and cloud storage, and web searches are powered by Bing under the Bing rules
Windows Search lets you search "your stuff" and the web from one place. If you choose to search your stuff, it returns items from your personal OneDrive, your OneDrive for Business if enabled, other supported third-party cloud storage providers and your device. If you choose to search the web or get search suggestions with Windows Search, results are powered by Bing and Microsoft uses your search query as described in the Bing section.
Supporting quotations
If you choose to use Windows Search to search "your stuff," it will provide results for items on your personal OneDrive, your OneDrive for Business if so enabled, other supported third-party cloud storage providers and on your device.
If you choose to use Windows Search to search the web, or get search suggestions with Windows Search, your search results will be powered by Bing and we will use your search query as described in the Bing section of this privacy statement.
Qualifications & exceptions
Web searching and suggestions are your choice and follow the Bing section.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Xbox data powers recommendations and offers, and games can use the microphone, camera and screen recording
Data collected about Xbox use lets Microsoft provide its services and curated experiences, including connecting you to games, content and services and presenting offers, discounts and recommendations; you can change recommendation settings on the Xbox online safety and privacy settings page. While using Xbox, you can use device capabilities such as the microphone, camera and screen recording to improve your gaming experience.
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Data we collect enables us to provide you with our services and with curated experiences. This includes connecting you to games, content, and services, as well as presenting you with offers, discounts, and recommendations.
While using XBOX, you can use the device’s capabilities such as the microphone, camera, and screen recording to improve your gaming experience.
Use & Processing · User right or choice
Optional Xbox AI features use your prompts, and Xbox Family Settings apply on Xbox platforms
Xbox offers optional AI-enhanced features, including Support Virtual Agents and Game assist. To respond, they use your voice or text prompt, public support articles and other relevant data described in the statement or the feature; additional privacy settings exist in some of them, and you can view, export or delete Game assist chats in the Copilot section of the privacy dashboard. The Xbox Family Settings app lets you manage a child's Xbox experience, such as spending in the Microsoft and Xbox stores, viewing activity and setting age ratings and screen time limits. Xbox-specific Family Safety settings apply on Xbox console or via Xbox on PC or mobile but may not apply on other platforms.
Supporting quotations
XBOX offers optional AI-enhanced features, including our Support Virtual Agents and Game assist.
these AI-enhanced features use your voice or text-based prompt, publicly-available support articles, and other relevant data
You can view, export, or delete your chats with Game assist in the Copilot section on the
You can use the
XBOX-specific Family Safety settings will apply on XBOX console or via XBOX on PC or mobile device but may not be applied on other platforms.
Qualifications & exceptions
AI-enhanced features are optional.
Xbox Family Settings may not apply on other platforms.
Use & Processing · Company practice
To keep Xbox safe, Microsoft may collect and review voice, text, images, videos and in-game content
To help make the Xbox network a safe gaming environment and enforce the Community Standards for Xbox, Microsoft says it may collect and review voice, text, images, videos and in-game content, such as game clips you upload, conversations you have and things you post in clubs and games.
Supporting quotations
we may collect and review voice, text, images, videos and in-game content (such as game clips you upload, conversations you have, and things you post in clubs and games)
Qualifications & exceptions
Stated as "may".
Use & Processing · Company practice
MSN collects how you interact with content, uses location, and uses data for ads you can opt out of
Microsoft also collects data about how you interact with MSN content, such as how often you use it and which articles you view, to provide relevant content. MSN gives an enhanced experience when you sign in with a Microsoft account, including customizing interests and favorites, and uses your location for local weather and news. You can manage personalization in MSN and Bing settings and in other Microsoft services that include MSN. Microsoft also uses the data to show you advertisements of possible interest, and you can opt out of interest-based advertising through the links within MSN or the opt-out page.
Supporting quotations
We also collect data about how you interact with MSN content, such as usage frequency and articles viewed, to provide you with relevant content.
We use your location to provide you with relevant content such as local weather and news.
We also use the data we collect to provide you with advertisements that may be of interest to you.
You can opt out of interest-based advertising through the advertising links within MSN services, or by visiting the Microsoft
Qualifications & exceptions
Interest-based advertising can be opted out of through MSN links or the opt-out page.