Although I use a lot of open source software, I’m a fan of Microsoft. There are some technologies of theirs I’ve always admired (VML, for instance: see my posts about it here<\/a>). The computer I’m writing from this moment runs Windows 7. Years ago I started a Hotmail account. I suppose now, it’s become an Outlook.com account: that’s where I’m sent when I sign in. <\/p>\n Somehow, it seems, virtually everyone uses Microsoft products or services. Therefore, Microsoft might feel a need to countenance issues reaching beyond mere software. Perhaps an interesting example is the Work or School<\/strong> paragraph (4b of Microsoft Services Agreement<\/a>, effective September 15,2016).<\/p>\n In that paragraph, Microsoft suggests that if a person signs into a Microsoft service with a school or work email, the owner of that (school or work) domain may access said person’s data. In an email about updates to the terms of service, Microsoft indeed suggests that account holders pay attention to clarifications about work or school accounts.<\/p>\n The meaning of paragraph 4b, like so many legal communications, might well be interpreted differently among readers. To me, it cautions that if you sign into your Microsoft account from a school or work email address, the administration of that school or work has the right to access the contents of said Microsoft account. Perhaps it’s not meant that way, but to me, that’s how it reads.<\/p>\n I wonder how many people have read that paragraph, and what their conclusions are?<\/p>\n Source:<\/p>\n Microsoft Services Agreement<\/a><\/p>\n