Trust with government and communities
Achieving our mission depends on governments and communities knowing that we will follow the laws and customs of the countries where we operate, and respect human rights across the globe.
When making decisions, ask yourself: does this foster trust with governments and communities?
Respect laws around the world
We operate around the globe and commit to respecting the laws wherever we do business. This helps us to build trust with governments, strengthen the communities where we live and work, and contribute to a fair society where we enjoy the protection of these same laws.
Design accessible products and services
We prioritize inclusive design in the development of our products and services. With over one billion people around the world with disabilities, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to design inclusively. Investing in accessibility helps Microsoft support our customers to meet inclusion goals. We believe there are no limits to what people can achieve when technology reflects the diversity of everyone who uses it.
Respect and promote human rights
We are committed to respecting and promoting human rights to empower people across the globe to use technology for the good of humanity.
Develop and deploy Responsible AI
We are committed to developing and deploying AI technologies in a way that is consistent with our AI principles, Responsible AI Standard, our company mission, values, and our commitment to human rights. We strive to create systems that people trust. This means keeping people and their goals at the center of system design decisions and respecting enduring values like fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability.
How to build trust:
- By following the laws and regulations of the U.S. and of all the places where we operate.
- By being honest and transparent in our discussions with government representatives and officials.
- By responding truthfully, appropriately, and promptly to government inquiries requests for information.
- By respecting and complying with global trade controls and economic sanctions that prohibit us from doing business with certain countries, governments, entities, and individuals.
- By observing and complying with laws that govern how our technology may be distributed and used internationally.
Learn more
Worldwide Trade Compliance Policy (internal only)
TradeNet (internal only)
- By including and learning from people with a range of perspectives, designing inclusively and putting people in the center from the very start of the design process.
- By making our products accessible to all users, including users with vision, hearing, learning, mobility, mental health, age-related, sensory, and speech disabilities.
Learn more
Accessibility Portal (internal only)
Accessibility Academy (internal only)
Accessibility Policy (internal only)
- We believe that in the long run, our presence and responsible engagement with people, governments, and other stakeholders in countries with significant human rights challenges often holds greater promise for the advancement of human rights.
- We respect and advocate for the rule of law and human rights under international laws, principles, and norms.
- We respect the rights to freedom of expression and privacy on all of our online services.
- When we face requirements from governments to provide user data or remove content, we verify whether the government demands are valid, binding, and otherwise comply with the rule of law.
- We conduct due diligence to assess the impact of our technologies on human rights. We learn from stakeholders to challenge our thinking, develop, and refine our policies and practices, and improve our technologies and how we provide them to fulfill our commitment to human rights.
Learn more
- By following the Microsoft Responsible AI Standard when developing and deploying AI technologies.
- By reporting Sensitive Uses to the Office of Responsible AI and following the guidance you receive.
- By asking for help when in need of additional guidance.
Learn More web links:
Office of Responsible AI (internal)
Microsoft Responsible AI Policy (internal)
Report a Sensitive Use (internal)
Microsoft Responsible AI Principles (external)
Microsoft’s Responsible AI Standard (external)
Upholding our Trust Code
Employees are expected to uphold this Trust Code, Microsoft policies, and the law. This means you must:
Read, understand, and comply
Read, understand, and comply with this Trust Code, and the policies, laws, and regulations that apply to your job.
Speak up
Speak up when we see possible violations of the Trust Code, Microsoft policies, and legal and regulatory requirements.
Be truthful
Be truthful and cooperate fully in any internal investigations. Do not conceal or destroy information.
Complete training
Complete training on the Trust Code, and attest that you understand and commit to comply with the Trust Code. Failing to read or attest to the Trust Code does not excuse you from these responsibilities.
Microsoft’s Standards of Business Conduct and its Compliance and Ethics Program are endorsed by and have the full support of Microsoft’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and management are responsible for overseeing the Compliance and Ethics Program and compliance with these Standards. These Standards apply to Microsoft, its Board of Directors, and all employees, directors, executive officers of Microsoft. When we refer to “Microsoft” we mean Microsoft Corporation and all its subsidiaries and affiliates in which it directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the voting controls. References to “employees” include the Board of Directors, employees, directors, and executive officers of Microsoft. Only the Board of Directors may waive a provision of these Standards for a director or executive officer. Any waiver that is granted to a director or executive officer will be publicly disclosed as required by NASDAQ listing requirements and applicable laws, rules, and regulations. These Standards are important to us. Violation of these Standards may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Employees are expected to always exercise common sense and good judgment and to act responsibly, irrespective of the existence of a policy that prohibits specific behavior.