Provision record
Microsoft · Microsoft Privacy Statement (Legacy) · View original document ↗

Organization may access diagnostic data and communications

High severity Explicit document language Common · 267 of 352 platforms
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This analysis describes what Microsoft's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Sep 10, 2026

The updated statement expands what device data Microsoft collects to explicitly include interactions with Microsoft websites and apps, moving beyond prior language that mentioned only device details, hardware, and settings. The terms now authorize Microsoft to personalize Copilot using conversation history (including saved memories) and optionally using data from other Microsoft products like Bing, Edge, and MSN. You can manage memories and control personalization features using settings within Microsoft Copilot at any time.

View change record →
Medium Jun 26, 2026

The updated privacy statement removes the previous detailed list of third-party sources from which Microsoft obtains personal data, including data brokers, public social media posts, location service providers, co-branded partners, and developers. Under the revised language, Microsoft describes obtaining data from 'Microsoft affiliates, subsidiaries, and third parties' without specifying the categories or types of third parties as explicitly as before. The company states it has reorganized the document for greater clarity and accessibility, but the operational effect is that users receive less specific disclosure about where their data originates from outside Microsoft.

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Medium Apr 19, 2026

The updated policy establishes additional grounds on which Microsoft may retain personal data. While the prior version tied retention to specific user expectations and available deletion controls, the revised language authorizes retention for 'operating our business, meeting our contractual and legal obligations, improving and developing our products and services, protecting the safety and security of our systems and customers, and resolving disputes.' This expands the stated purposes beyond transaction fulfillment and legal compliance. The updated policy directs users to product-specific documentation for retention details rather than providing explicit deletion procedures and timelines in the privacy statement itself.

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How other platforms handle this

Sony PlayStation Medium

If you unlink the third-party account from your account for PlayStation, or if your third-party account is closed or deleted, you may lose access to the product.

Twitch Medium

if your authorization from that user expires or is revoked, you will immediately stop accessing or acting under that user's account.

Perplexity AI Medium

Customer shall promptly notify Perplexity if Customer becomes aware of any unauthorized access to, or use of, an Authorized User's account.

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Access and process your data, including the interaction data, diagnostic data, and the contents of your communications and files associated with your Microsoft product and accounts.

Excerpt from Microsoft's Privacy Statement (Legacy)

Applicable regulations

CFAA
United States Federal
DMA
European Union

Provision details

Document information
Document
Microsoft Privacy Statement (Legacy)
Entity
Microsoft
Document last updated
March 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
July 9, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-016811
Document ID
CA-D-00001
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
8d2402a9a4edd754f7948aeb28481a87ee7f4865aafd1d3042de12dacd9ddc8c
Analysis generated
July 9, 2026 17:07 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Microsoft
Document: Microsoft Privacy Statement (Legacy)
Record ID: CA-P-016811
Captured: 2026-07-09 17:07:43 UTC
SHA-256: 8d2402a9a4edd754…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/microsoft/microsoft-privacy-statement-legacy/provision/CA-P-016811/organization-may-access-diagnostic-data-and-communications/
Accessed: Oct. 3, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Microsoft's Organization may access diagnostic data and communications clause do?

The clause states: “Access and process your data, including the interaction data, diagnostic data, and the contents of your communications and files associated with your Microsoft product and accounts.”

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 267 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Microsoft?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Microsoft.