Microsoft Agreement Changes – What You Need to Know
In August 2020, Microsoft announced changes to its Services Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Microsoft Store Terms of Sale. These updates provide important information on how Microsoft collects, uses, and protects users’ personal data when using its services.
As a professional, I understand the importance of communicating changes like these in a clear and concise manner. In this article, I will help you understand what these changes mean for you and your data.
Privacy Policy Changes
The updated Privacy Policy clarifies how Microsoft collects and uses personal data. For starters, Microsoft will now collect more data from users in order to personalize their experience. This includes data on how users interact with Microsoft services, their device and network information, and their location data.
Microsoft also now has the ability to collect data from third-party apps and services that users have connected to their Microsoft account. This data may include information about the user’s activity within those third-party apps.
Additionally, Microsoft is now providing more information about how it shares personal data with other companies. The updated Privacy Policy outlines how Microsoft may share data with affiliates, service providers, and third parties for advertising purposes.
Services Agreement Changes
One of the biggest changes to the Services Agreement is the introduction of a new dispute resolution process. Microsoft is now requiring users to resolve any disputes through individual arbitration, rather than in a court of law. This change is intended to be more cost-effective for both users and Microsoft.
The updated Services Agreement also clarifies what users are allowed to do with Microsoft products and services. For example, users are no longer allowed to “reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble” any Microsoft software or services.
Microsoft Store Terms of Sale Changes
The Microsoft Store Terms of Sale has been updated to provide more clarity around in-app purchases. The updated terms now require developers to clearly disclose any in-app purchases and to provide users with the ability to cancel a purchase within a certain timeframe.
Additionally, Microsoft has updated its refund policy for digital purchases. Users can now request a refund for a digital purchase within 14 days of the purchase date, as long as the user hasn’t downloaded or streamed the content.
Conclusion
In summary, Microsoft’s updated agreements provide more transparency around how the company collects and uses personal data. The changes also aim to make the user experience more personalized, while still providing control over personal data.
As a professional, I encourage you to read the updated agreements carefully to ensure that you understand how these changes may affect you and your data. By doing so, you will be able to make informed decisions about your online privacy and take control of your data.