Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Privacy Statement
Last updated May, 2005

Microsoft is committed to helping to protect your privacy. This privacy statement explains the data collection and use practices of the Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (“Update Services”). This statement does not apply to other online or offline Microsoft sites, products, or services.

What is Update Services?
Update Services is a patch and update component of Windows Server that enables information technology administrators to deploy the latest Microsoft product updates to Microsoft Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP operating systems. By using Update Services, you can manage the distribution of updates that are released through Microsoft Update to computers in your network.

What data is collected?
Update Services collects the results of synchronizations between your server and Microsoft Update and forwards these results to Microsoft Update at the end of each successful synchronization. No contact information (such as your name, address, or phone number) is collected. Anonymous information collected may include:
In addition, your Internet Protocol (IP) address is logged when your Update Services server connects to the Microsoft Update site, but this address will only be used to generate aggregate statistics.

How is this data used?
The information sent to Microsoft is used to improve the availability and reliability of the Microsoft Update service, and to generate aggregate statistics about how the Microsoft Update service is used and the number of Update Services servers which our systems need to support. To generate accurate statistics, Microsoft Update evaluates a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) that is stored on your Update Services server to uniquely identify it. The GUID does not contain any information that can be used to identify you, or the organization using Update Services. The GUID is used to track the number of Update Services servers that synchronize with Microsoft Update and whether the download of specific updates succeeded or failed.

Information that is collected by or sent to Microsoft may be stored and processed in the United States or any other country in which Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or agents maintain facilities. Microsoft may disclose this information if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on Microsoft or the site; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of Microsoft and its family of Web sites, or (c) act in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of Microsoft employees, users of Microsoft software or services, or members of the public. Microsoft occasionally hires other companies to provide limited services on its behalf, such as providing customer support, processing transactions, or performing statistical analysis of reports. Microsoft will provide those companies only the information they need to deliver the service. They are required to maintain the confidentiality of this information and are prohibited from using it for any other purpose.

Security
Microsoft is committed to helping protect the security of the information we collect. Update Services use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect the information collected from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. For example, synchronizations between your Update Services server and Microsoft Update are protected through the use of encryption, such as the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol.

Changes to this Statement
Microsoft may occasionally update this privacy statement. When we do, we will also revise the "last updated" date at the top of the privacy statement. We encourage you to periodically review this privacy statement to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the information we collect.

For More Information
Microsoft welcomes your comments regarding this privacy statement. If you have questions about this statement or believe that we have not adhered to it, please contact us by e-mail at WinSUSPr@microsoft.com

Update Services Privacy
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, Washington 98052

To find contact details for the Microsoft subsidiary or affiliate in your country or region, see www.microsoft.com/worldwide.