Microsoft · Microsoft Privacy Statement (Legacy)

Voice and Search Data Collection

High severity
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What it is

Microsoft collects your voice commands (through Cortana and other voice-enabled features) and your search queries through Bing, and uses this data to improve services and personalise your experience.

Why it matters

Voice data is particularly sensitive because it can reveal not just your words but your identity, emotional state, and personal circumstances, and once collected may be stored and reviewed by Microsoft employees.

Institutional analysis (Compliance & legal intelligence)

Collection and storage of voice recordings and search data implicates GDPR Article 9 (where voice data enables biometric identification), CCPA sensitive data provisions, and state wiretapping laws. Compliance teams should assess whether consent disclosures adequately inform users of voice data retention and human review practices.

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Consumer impact

Microsoft collects extensive personal data across its products including search history, voice recordings, location data, browsing behaviour, and inferred interests, and uses this data for targeted advertising and product improvement. Users' data may be shared with affiliates, advertising partners, and other third parties, and sensitive data such as health and biometric information may also be collected in certain contexts. You can review, download, or delete your personal data by visiting Microsoft's Privacy Dashboard at account.microsoft.com/privacy.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Delete Your Data
    Sign in to your Microsoft account, go to the Privacy Dashboard at account.microsoft.com/privacy, and navigate to 'Voice activity' or 'Search history' to review and delete stored recordings and queries.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has authority to investigate unfair or deceptive practices in the collection, storage, and use of voice data by consumer technology companies.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Microsoft Privacy Statement (Legacy)
Entity
Microsoft
Document last updated
March 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 15, 2026
Last verified
March 15, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-00001006
Document ID
CA-D-00001
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
45f09bce08bba70d095c6310e3c8383cc7e2ee6d93fc0795641bd50132df016b
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Microsoft | Document: Microsoft Privacy Statement (Legacy) | Record: CA-P-00001006
Captured: 2026-03-15 11:31:06 UTC | SHA-256: 45f09bce08bba70d…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/microsoft/microsoft-privacy-statement-legacy/voice-and-search-data-collection/
Accessed: April 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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