Government Officials and Policymakers

Privacy protections are essential for building confidence in the Internet and helping people make better decisions about whom and what they trust online. Building trust requires collaboration with customers, partners, the computer industry, and governments worldwide.

Because of our extensive experience building privacy protections into our product and service offerings, we offer government officials and policymakers:

Privacy in "the Cloud"

Privacy in the Cloud Computing Era
Read about what "cloud computing" means to consumers and Microsoft's perspective on cloud computing privacy, based on Microsoft's existing privacy principles.

Choosing a Cloud Computing Services Provider: Data Privacy and Security Questions for IT Professionals
Protecting the privacy of your organizational and customer data is a key deciding factor when evaluating vendors of cloud computing services.

Cloud Computing and Your Privacy
Before you share personal information using an online service, make sure the provider has a clear privacy policy and the tools to back it up.

Privacy fundamentals

Microsoft and Privacy
Find out about Microsoft's core privacy beliefs and our commitment to putting customers in control of their personal information.

Online Identity Theft: Changing the Game
Read how a digital ID system will help make using the Web safer and more convenient, reducing identity theft and saving money for businesses, consumers and governments.

Windows 7: Enhancing Privacy and Customer Control
Read how Windows 7 continues Microsoft’s commitment to Trustworthy Computing by placing privacy at the forefront of the design, development, and deployment of operating systems.

Privacy and Data Protection in Windows Vista
Learn how Windows Vista is designed to help individuals and organizations meet the increasingly sophisticated challenges of protecting sensitive personal information.

Data privacy-specific documents

Microsoft and Data Governance
Learn about the value of a strong data governance program and how it can help organizations reduce IT costs, protect sensitive data, and meet compliance requirements.

Data Governance: Managing and Protecting Personal Information
Read how effective data governance can help safeguard personal information and how governments can work with industry to help protect citizens.

Microsoft and Data Breach Notification
Get guidance on responding to data breaches and how governments can help balance the interests of consumers with the needs of organizations.

The Data Privacy Imperative
Learn how Microsoft helps people protect individual and organizational privacy.

EU Data Privacy
Download a study of how Microsoft has approached compliance with the European Union's privacy rules and learn how companies can incorporate these rules into their operations and products.

Issue-specific privacy documents

Privacy Principles for Search and Online Advertising
Read how Microsoft helps protect the privacy of Windows Live customers and helps people to personalize their online search experience.

CAN-SPAM and Global Efforts to Combat Cyber Crime
Read how Microsoft works with government, industry and law enforcement to help create greater protections for online privacy, security and safety.

Privacy information for consumers

Consumer How-To: Protecting Your Personal Information Online
Short paper offering tips and guidance to help consumers protect their privacy on the Internet.

My Privacy: Safely Navigating Life Online
Chief Privacy Strategist Peter Cullen discusses the third annual Data Privacy Day and other efforts to increase awareness of online privacy.