Microsoft Word: Edit Documents

"Data about your device, your device configuration, and nearby networks. For example, data about the operating systems and other software installed on your device, including product keys. In addition, IP address, device identifiers (such as the IMEI number for phones), regional and language settings, and information about WLAN access points near your device."

Microsoft collects extensive device data including installed software, product keys, IMEI numbers, nearby WiFi access points, and sensor data like step counts, going well beyond what's needed for core functionality of most products.

"Location data. Data about your device's location, which can be either precise or imprecise. For example, we collect location data using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (e.g., GPS) and data about nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. Location can also be inferred from a device's IP address or data in your account profile that indicates where it is located with less precision."

Microsoft collects location data through GPS, cell towers, WiFi hotspots, and IP address inference, enabling both precise and imprecise location tracking across multiple methods.

"Microsoft Privacy Statement Last Updated: March 2026. This privacy statement explains the personal data Microsoft processes, how Microsoft processes it, and for what purposes. Microsoft offers a wide range of products, including server products used to help operate enterprises worldwide, devices you use in your home, software that students use at school."

The privacy statement is updated periodically without any described mechanism for obtaining user consent to changes; continued use of products implicitly constitutes acceptance of updated terms.

"We also share personal data among Microsoft-controlled affiliates and subsidiaries, including for the purposes described in this privacy statement. We also share personal data with vendors or agents working on our behalf for the purposes described in this statement. For example, companies we've hired to provide customer service support or assist in protecting and securing our systems and services may need access to personal data."

Microsoft shares personal data broadly across its affiliates, subsidiaries, vendors, advertising partners, and third-party publishers (e.g., Xbox game publishers), creating a wide data-sharing ecosystem.

"Microsoft retains personal data for as long as necessary to provide the products and fulfill the transactions you have requested, or for other legitimate purposes such as complying with our legal obligations, resolving disputes, and enforcing our agreements. Because these needs can vary for different data types, the context of our interactions with you or your use of products, actual retention periods can vary significantly."

Microsoft provides no concrete deletion timelines for most data types, using vague justifications like "legitimate purposes" and stating retention periods "can vary significantly," effectively allowing indefinite retention.

"We combine data we collect from different contexts (for example, from your use of two Microsoft products) or obtain from third parties to give you a more seamless, consistent, and personalized experience, to make informed business decisions, and for other legitimate purposes. We also obtain data from third parties. These third-party sources vary over time and include: Data brokers from which we purchase demographic data to supplement the data we collect."

Microsoft combines data across its many products, purchases demographic data from data brokers, and uses cookies and identifiers like MUID to track users across Microsoft and third-party properties, building unified cross-service profiles.

"After you submit the request to close your child's account, we will wait 60 days before permanently deleting the account in case you change your mind or need to access something on the account before it is permanently closed and deleted. During the waiting period, the account is marked for closure and permanent deletion, but it still exists."

Microsoft imposes a 60-day waiting period before permanently deleting an account, during which the account and all data continue to exist in their systems.