We are updating the Microsoft Services Agreement, which applies to your use of Microsoft consumer online products and services. We’re making these updates to clarify our terms and ensure that they remain transparent for you, as well as to cover additional Microsoft products, services and features.
These updates, which are summarized below, will take effect on September 15, 2016. If you continue to use our products or services on or after September 15, 2016, you are agreeing to the updated terms of the Microsoft Services Agreement.
We are also updating the Microsoft Privacy Statement. These updates are described below, and are effective as of August 2, 2016.
The Microsoft Services Agreement is an agreement between you and Microsoft (or one of its affiliates) that governs your use of Microsoft consumer online products and services. You can see a full list of the covered products and services here.
The Microsoft Services Agreement does not apply to products and services dedicated to business customers, including Office 365 for business, education, or government customers, Azure, Yammer, or Skype for Business. For commitments regarding security, privacy and compliance as well as related information that applies to Office 365 for business, please visit the Office 365 Trust Center at http://trust.office365.com.
To see all of the changes, we recommend you read the full Microsoft Services Agreement.
Here are some of the most notable changes to the Microsoft Services Agreement:
You can also read a summary of the changes here.
Yes. Section 4(a)(iii) of the Microsoft Services Agreement states that parents are responsible for Microsoft account, Skype account, and Services usage by their minor children, including any subscription fees and purchases. Some of our services require payment, such as applications and games available through our Windows, Xbox, or Office app stores, ad-free Outlook.com, OneDrive extra storage, or an Office 365 consumer subscription. Microsoft family offers parents solutions for understanding how their children use their devices and setting boundaries. For more information on Microsoft family, please visit the Family Dashboard.
The updates to the Microsoft Services Agreement will take effect on September 15, 2016. Until that time, your current terms remain in effect.
By using or accessing our products or services on or after September 15, 2016, you are agreeing to the updated Microsoft Services Agreement. If you do not agree, you can choose to discontinue using the products and services, and close your Microsoft account before September 15, 2016.
The Microsoft Privacy Statement explains in detail what personal data we collect from you when you use a Microsoft product or service, the ways we use that data, and the systems we have in place to keep your personal information safe.
We encourage you to read the full Microsoft Privacy Statement so that you’re clear on what data we’re collecting and how we handle it.
Last year, we brought together many separate privacy statements into a single Microsoft Privacy Statement covering most Microsoft consumer offerings. This restructuring was designed to eliminate redundancies, improve usability, and increase clarity and transparency. We updated the Microsoft Privacy Statement in October 2015 and January 2016 to further consolidate different privacy notices, improve clarity, and describe new product features and functionality.
On August 2, 2016, we will publish additional updates with the same objectives. None of the changes will represent a change in policy or practice for Microsoft. These changes will be summarized on the Change History page available at https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/Updates. Additional information about our ongoing commitment to protecting your privacy is available at https://privacy.microsoft.com.
These changes will take effect on August 2, 2016. If you continue to use our products or services on or after that date, you are agreeing to the updated terms of the Microsoft Privacy Statement.
Yes, we do share your information in certain cases. We’ve detailed when we share data in the Microsoft Privacy Statement. Broadly, we share your personal data with your consent or as necessary to complete any transaction or provide any service you have requested or authorized. We also share data with Microsoft-controlled affiliates and subsidiaries; with vendors working on our behalf; when required by law or to respond to legal process; to protect our customers; to protect lives; to maintain the security of our services; and to protect the rights or property of Microsoft.
