Microsoft Services Agreement: 13 Clauses Fine Print Flagged
Binding arbitration clause detected. Content licensing clause detected.
We ran Microsoft's Services Agreement through Fine Print and the scanner flagged 13 clauses across 13 categories. The first finding: tracking and analytics clause detected.
Source: Services Agreement
What we found
Tracking and analytics clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under tracking_analytics:
We use optional cookies to improve your experience on our websites, such as through social media connections, and to display personalized advertising based on your online activity.
Cookie usage clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under cookies:
We use optional cookies to improve your experience on our websites, such as through social media connections, and to display personalized advertising based on your online activity.
Binding arbitration clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under binding_arbitration:
The Microsoft Services Agreement contains binding arbitration and class action waiver terms that apply to U.S. residents. You and we agree to submit disputes to a neutral arbitrator and not to sue in court in front of a judge or jury, except in small claims court.
Liability limitation clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under liability_limits:
MICROSOFT, AND OUR AFFILIATES, RESELLERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND VENDORS, MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, GUARANTEES OR CONDITIONS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES.
Content licensing clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under perpetual_license:
To the extent necessary to provide the Services to you and others, to protect you and the Services, and to improve Microsoft products and services, you grant to Microsoft a worldwide and royalty-free intellectual property license to use Your Content, for example, to make copies of, retain, transmit, reformat, display, and distribute via communication tools Your Content on the Services.
To the extent necessary to provide the Services to you and others, to protect you and the Services, and to improve Microsoft products and services, you grant to Microsoft a worldwide and royalty-free intellectual property license to use Your Content, for example, to make copies of, retain, transmit, reformat, display, and distribute via communication tools Your Content on the Services.
Data collection clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under data_collection:
Please read the Microsoft Privacy Statement as it describes the types of data we collect from you and your devices ("Data"), how we use your Data, and the legal bases we have to process your Data.
Age requirement clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under age_requirements:
...By creating a Microsoft account or using the Services, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and represent that you have either reached the age of "majority" where you live or your parent or legal guardian agrees to be bound by these Terms on your behalf...
By creating a Microsoft account or using the Services, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and represent that you have either reached the age of "majority" where you live or your parent or legal guardian agrees to be bound by these Terms on your behalf. If you do not know whether you have reached the age of majority where you live, or do not understand this section, please ask your parent or legal guardian for help. If you are the parent or legal guardian of a minor, you and the minor accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and are responsible for all use of the Microsoft account or Services, including purchases, whether the minor's account is now open or created later.
Account termination clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under account_termination:
You can cancel specific Services or close your Microsoft account at any time and for any reason. To close your Microsoft account, please visit https://account.live.com/closeaccount.aspx...
You can cancel specific Services or close your Microsoft account at any time and for any reason. To close your Microsoft account, please visit https://account.live.com/closeaccount.aspx. When you ask us to close your Microsoft account, you can choose to put it in a suspended state for either 30 or 60 days just in case you change your mind. After that 30- or 60-day period, your Microsoft account will be closed. Logging back in during the suspension period will reactivate your Microsoft account.
Data sharing with third parties detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under data_selling:
...Many of our Services also help you find, make requests to, or interact with Third-Party Apps and Services and may allow or require you to share Your Content or Data with such Third-Party Apps and Services, and you understand that by using our Services you are directing them to make Third-Party Apps and Services...
The Services may allow you to access or acquire products, services, websites, links, content, material, games, skills, integrations, bots or applications from independent third parties (companies or people who aren't Microsoft) ("Third-Party Apps and Services"). Many of our Services also help you find, make requests to, or interact with Third-Party Apps and Services and may allow or require you to share Your Content or Data with such Third-Party Apps and Services, and you understand that by using our Services you are directing them to make Third-Party Apps and Services available to you. The Third-Party Apps and Services may allow or require you to store Your Content or Data with the publisher, provider or operator of the Third-Party Apps and Services.
Unilateral terms-change clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under unilateral_changes:
We may change these Terms at any time, and we'll tell you when we do. Using the Services after the changes become effective means you agree to the new terms.
Automatic subscription renewal clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under auto_renewal:
...We may bill you (a) in advance; (b) at the time of purchase; (c) shortly after purchase; or (d) on a recurring basis for subscription Services. Also, we may charge you up to the amount you have approved, and we will notify you in advance of any change in the amount...
By providing Microsoft with a payment method, you (i) represent that you are authorized to use the payment method you provided and that any payment information you provide is true and accurate; (ii) authorize Microsoft to charge you for the Services or available content using your payment method; and (iii) authorize Microsoft to charge you for any paid feature of the Services you choose to sign up for or use while these Terms are in force. We may bill you (a) in advance; (b) at the time of purchase; (c) shortly after purchase; or (d) on a recurring basis for subscription Services. Also, we may charge you up to the amount you have approved, and we will notify you in advance of any change in the amount to be charged for recurring subscription Services.
Price change clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under price_changes:
We may change the price of the Services at any time and if you have a recurring purchase, we will notify you by email, or other reasonable manner, at least 15 days before the price change.
Governing law clause detected
Fine Print flagged the following text under governing_law:
...the Federal Arbitration Act governs all provisions relating to arbitration. You and we irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state or federal courts in King County, Washington, for all disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services...
If you live in (or, if a business, your principal place of business is in) the United States, the laws of the state where you live (or, if a business, where your principal place of business is located) govern all claims, regardless of conflict of laws principles, except that the Federal Arbitration Act governs all provisions relating to arbitration. You and we irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state or federal courts in King County, Washington, for all disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services that are not heard in arbitration or small claims court.
How we found this
Fine Print runs entirely in your browser. It uses pattern matching (regular expressions with negation awareness), not an AI model. Nothing is sent to a server. Every match is verified against a 318-test regression suite with zero false positives and zero false negatives at the time of release.
The full methodology and accuracy report for this scan is on the Microsoft audit page.
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