Microsoft Privacy Policy

Microsoft collects personal data including Device data, Usage data, Product key, but their practices are within typical industry norms. Our analysis found 6 items worth your attention. They are not unusually invasive, but you should be aware of what you're agreeing to.

Microsoft collects the following types of data: Device data (They collect information about your device, its settings, and capabilities.); Usage data (They collect data on how you use Windows, apps, and features.); Product key (They collect your product key to validate your software license.); Device and network identifiers (They collect identifiers for warranty, stock, and fraud prevention on phones.); Device location (They collect your device's location for warranty, stock, and fraud prevention on phones.); Activity history (They collect data on apps, services, files, and websites you use.); Advertising ID (They generate and collect a unique ID for personalized ads in apps.); SIM card identifiers (They may share your SIM card identifiers with mobile operators with your consent.); IP address (They collect your device's IP address for network capabilities and contextual info.); Mobile network (IMEI, operator) (They collect details about your mobile network connection.); OS version and build number (They collect information about your operating system.); Connected peripherals data (They collect data about your connected devices like models and drivers.); Installed applications data (They collect app names, versions, and publishers.); Browser activity (They collect browsing history and search terms in Microsoft browsers.); Error reporting (They collect data about system and app crashes, which may include user content.); Inking and typing diagnostic data (They collect samples of what you type or write to improve recognition features.); Web activity (They collect your web activity for personalized search, ads, and news if you allow it.); Microsoft product usage (They collect info about your use of other Microsoft products and services.); Subscription and purchase history (They collect your subscription and purchase history for personalized offers.); Data from third-party websites (They may use data from third-party websites shared with Microsoft.); Installed app list (Feedback Hub reads your installed app list to determine apps for feedback.); Camera input (Feedback Hub uses your camera if you choose to share surroundings.); Microphone input (Feedback Hub uses your microphone if you choose to share audio input.); Picture and document library (Feedback Hub accesses your libraries for screenshots and screen recordings you attach.); Voice data (They collect your voice recordings for cloud-based speech recognition if enabled.); Text messages (Phone Link accesses content of your text messages for display on your PC.); Contact information (Phone Link accesses contact info for text messages and calls.); Call logs (Phone Link accesses your recent calls for display on your PC.); Photos (Phone Link accesses your recent photos from your phone's camera roll.); Notifications (Phone Link accesses your phone's notifications for display on your PC.); Installed Android apps list (Phone Link collects a list of your installed Android apps for mirroring.); Mobile hotspot information (Link to Windows shares your mobile hotspot info with your PC.); Android contacts (Link to Windows syncs your Android contacts to the Microsoft cloud.); iPhone contacts (Phone Link syncs your iPhone contacts for messaging and calling.); Snapshots (images of screen) (Recall saves images of everything open and visible on your screen.); Metadata (app name, time-date stamp) (Recall collects metadata associated with screen snapshots.); User queries (Recall collects your search queries within the feature.); Email, calendar items, files (Mail and Calendar app syncs these from your accounts to your device and servers.); IMEI, IMSI, EID, ICCID (Mobile plans app uses these to determine available mobile operators.); Country (coarse location) (Mobile plans app uses this to determine available mobile operators.); Screenshots of pop-ups (PC Manager collects screenshots of pop-ups if you join the Pop-up Plan.); Windows title and class (PC Manager collects this data along with pop-up screenshots.).

Our analysis rates Microsoft as MEDIUM RISK with 6 concerns. It is relatively safe to use, but there are some clauses you should be aware of. See the full analysis below for details.