Microsoft · Microsoft Services Agreement (Legacy)

Broad User Content License Grant

High severity
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What it is

When you share, post, or upload content that is covered by intellectual property rights in or in connection with our products, you grant us a nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform that content in connection with operating and improving our products.

Why it matters

This license is broad, worldwide, transferable, and royalty-free, meaning Microsoft can use your personal content — including documents, photos, and emails stored in OneDrive or Outlook — across its business without paying you, and can sub-license that right to others.

Consumer impact

Microsoft's Services Agreement governs all major consumer Microsoft products and contains provisions that materially limit consumer rights, including mandatory arbitration and a class action waiver for US users, a broad content license that allows Microsoft to use anything you post or store, and a unilateral right to suspend or terminate accounts with limited notice. Consumers face significant data exposure through Microsoft's broad collection and use practices across services, and limited financial recourse given liability caps set at the amount paid in the prior 12 months. You can opt out of arbitration by mailing written notice to Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052 within 30 days of first accepting the agreement.

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
    Log in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com/privacy, navigate to the Privacy Dashboard, and use the data deletion tools to remove content you do not want Microsoft to retain or use under the content license.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has authority under Section 5 to investigate whether the scope of Microsoft's content license constitutes an unfair or deceptive trade practice, particularly in relation to AI training use of consumer content.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Microsoft Services Agreement (Legacy)
Entity
Microsoft
Document last updated
March 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 5, 2026
Last verified
April 4, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002062
Document ID
CA-D-00002
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
0099b077a7c627b606b6d557b5e892880a2254bab6659c33dc99032a0dd51bdd
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Microsoft | Document: Microsoft Services Agreement (Legacy) | Record: CA-P-002062
Captured: 2026-03-05 09:35:26 UTC | SHA-256: 0099b077a7c627b6…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/microsoft/microsoft-services-agreement-legacy/broad-user-content-license-grant/
Accessed: April 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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