Microsoft is a large organisation which has a great impact on many people’s lives. Our size and influence mean that we can connect societies to help people reach their true potential. But with that power comes great responsibility. Citizenship for Microsoft is about taking responsibility for the impacts we have on society, through our technology, our business and our behaviour.

Yes, it’s about protecting our reputation and promoting our brand-that’s just good business sense-but it’s also about listening to what society want and expect from us.

The more time and effort we put into our Citizenship and its programmes the more we are learning. What we know now, however, is that in the near future Microsoft can make two important contributions for the people of the UK:

  • By using our technology, we can give everyone the chance to be successful, experience wellbeing and be prosperous - what we call fair access to economic and social opportunity.
  • By ensuring that technology is safe, so that people have the confidence to use it both at work and within the home.

These contributions are a great place to start. And while we certainly don’t have all the answers yet, by working with our employees, partners, the IT industry and Government, we are able to go some way to making a positive impact, both socially and economically.

Above all, at Microsoft we make every effort to ensure that we are open in the way we conduct our business operations. We work to ensure we are compliant with the laws and regulations that apply to our business and are mindful of the communities in which we operate.