Less tracking from Microsoft in their ads

In line with changes to consolidate and simplify the Google privacy policy, Microsoft has been busy updating their own policies lately. The most recent update made a few things much clearer for users of the various Microsoft web sites and apps.

Emails were sent out recently to users to explain that the Microsoft Services Agreement and Privacy Policy were being updated in respect of privacy (particularly relating to advertising), transparency and simplicity. There is also an FAQ.

Email-sourced Advertising

Unlike with Google, Microsoft is now making clear that they will not use your private communications to adjust ads based on what is discussed. This covers services like Hotmail and Outlook.com.

This change contrasts markedly with Google who actively access a user's own emails to modify what ads they will see. For some, this constitutes as snooping in their eyes and dislike the practice.

Business Considerations

Google essentially continues to do access user content to shape advertising content because it helps to make the ads more relevant to the visitor. This increases click-through rates which pleases the advertisers. As almost all of Google's revenue is still derived from ad buyers, they're catering to their advertisers' wishes more than Microsoft needs to.

Block on Email, Chat, Voice mail and Video calls

Microsoft has confirmed in the new documents that not just email, but chat, recorded voice mails and video calls undertaken will not be used to shape advertising content. Documents, photos and other files stored on their cloud service OneDrive will also not be used to determine advertising content either.

This is a broad-reaching change for Microsoft. Not a company exactly known for a good record when it comes to either privacy or security.

Greater Transparency

Microsoft also sought to spell out more clearly what types of actions were unacceptable to them. It made clear that a parent is responsible for the actions of their children on the internet too. This includes what items are purchased using the Microsoft Store or via in-app transactions.

Actions that are unacceptable across Microsoft properties include posting inappropriate content, harmful actions against minors, sending spam or bulk mail, asking for money using false information, infringing on another's rights, violating another's privacy or trading in illegal software. The company will not root through your email to discover if you are trading in their own software either.

Also, it was stated clearly in their new documents that a user must log into their Microsoft account at least once a year otherwise their account may be deleted and data deleted permanently too.

Simplicity

The rewritten legal documents governing their policies have been changed to remove legalese. That is to say, the writing has been simplified to make it easier for the layperson to understand. Microsoft wants to build more trust around how their various products and services are used, as well as between itself and the end user.

The new Microsoft Services Agreement revision goes into effect on 31 July 2014. It encompasses Microsoft accounts, OneDrive cloud services, Bing, Skype, XBOX, software as a service such as Outlook.com, Office365, etc. Continued use of any of their many services is considered automatic acceptance of the revised terms.