Microsoft Azure Privacy Statement
Last Updated: October 26, 2023
This Privacy Statement describes how Microsoft and its affiliates collect, use, and share your personal information when you use Microsoft Azure services. We are committed to protecting your privacy and providing transparency about our data handling practices.
1. Information We Collect
When you use Azure services, we may collect the following types of information:
- Account and Subscription Information: This includes your name, email address, payment information, and details about your Azure subscription and services.
- Service Usage Data: Information about how you use Azure services, including logs, diagnostic data, performance metrics, and configurations.
- Content You Provide: Any data, files, or content that you upload or process using Azure services. We treat your content with strict confidentiality.
- Device and Network Information: Information about the devices you use to access Azure, including IP addresses, operating system, browser type, and network connectivity.
- Support and Communication Data: Records of your interactions with Microsoft support, feedback, and other communications.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To Provide and Improve Services: To operate, maintain, and enhance Azure services, including troubleshooting, updating, and providing support.
- To Manage Your Account: To process payments, manage your subscription, and communicate important service-related information.
- For Security and Compliance: To protect the security of our services and users, detect and prevent fraud, and comply with legal obligations.
- For Research and Development: To understand usage patterns and develop new features and services. We use anonymized or aggregated data for these purposes whenever possible.
- To Communicate with You: To send you service updates, security alerts, and other relevant information.
3. Sharing of Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:
- With Your Consent: We will share your information when you have given us explicit consent to do so.
- With Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party companies that perform services on our behalf, under strict confidentiality agreements. These providers are obligated to protect your data.
- For Legal Reasons: We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or other governmental request.
- In Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control of your personal data.
4. Data Security
We implement robust technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include encryption, access controls, and regular security audits.
5. Your Choices and Rights
You have control over your personal information. You can:
- Access and Update Your Information: Through the Azure portal, you can access and modify your account and service settings.
- Manage Data Processing Preferences: Review and adjust preferences related to data collection and processing where applicable.
- Opt-Out of Communications: You can unsubscribe from non-essential marketing communications.
6. International Data Transfers
Your personal information may be stored and processed in any country where Microsoft or its affiliates have facilities or service providers. We take steps to ensure that data is handled securely and in accordance with this Privacy Statement, regardless of the country where it is processed. This includes using standard contractual clauses and other approved mechanisms for international data transfers.
7. Children's Privacy
Azure services are not intended for use by children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
8. Changes to This Privacy Statement
We may update this Privacy Statement from time to time. We will post any changes on this page and update the "Last Updated" date at the top. We encourage you to review this statement periodically.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Statement or our data handling practices, please contact us through the Microsoft Trust Center or your designated Microsoft account representative.