Microsoft Developer Network - .NET Community Privacy Statement

Welcome to the Microsoft Developer Network (.NET Community) privacy statement. We are committed to protecting your privacy and providing a secure and valuable experience for all our users. This statement explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information within the context of the .NET Community platforms and services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to operate effectively and provide you with the best possible experience. This may include:

• Personal Information: When you register an account, contribute content, or participate in community activities, we may collect information such as your name, email address, username, and profile details.
• Usage Data: We collect data about how you interact with our platforms, including pages visited, features used, content viewed, and your contributions (e.g., forum posts, code snippets, bug reports).
• Device and Technical Information: This may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers. This helps us troubleshoot issues and improve our services.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, remember your preferences, and analyze site traffic. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

2. How We Use Your Information

The information we collect is used for the following purposes:

• To Provide and Improve Services: To deliver the features and content you expect from the .NET Community, personalize your experience, and make ongoing improvements.
• Communication: To send you important notices, updates, and information related to your account or community activities.
• Community Moderation and Safety: To maintain a respectful and safe environment, including enforcing our Code of Conduct and terms of use.
• Analytics and Research: To understand user behavior, identify trends, and inform product development and strategy.
• Security: To protect our services, users, and intellectual property from fraud, abuse, and technical issues.

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Microsoft is a global organization, and we may share your information with our affiliated companies or trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our services. These parties are obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes for which it was disclosed.

We will not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes without your explicit consent. We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, or legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Microsoft, our users, or the public.

4. Data Security

We implement a variety of security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include technical safeguards, administrative procedures, and physical security protocols.

5. Your Choices and Rights

You have control over your personal information. You may be able to:

• Access, review, and update your profile information.
• Manage your communication preferences.
• Delete your account and associated data, subject to legal and operational requirements.

For specific rights related to data privacy under applicable laws, please refer to the Microsoft Privacy Statement.

6. Terms of Use and Code of Conduct

Your participation in the .NET Community is also governed by our Terms of Use and our Code of Conduct. Please review these documents carefully to understand your responsibilities and the community guidelines.

7. Changes to This Statement

We may update this privacy statement from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will post any revised statement on this page and update the "Last Updated" date at the top. We encourage you to review this statement periodically.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy statement or our data practices, please contact us through the Community Support channels.

Last Updated: October 26, 2023