Is Microsoft ethical?

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Privacy & surveillance Confirmed

Microsoft limits student data use for AI training

Microsoft cannot train AI models on student or educator data and must limit data collection with plain-language disclosures.

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finance.yahoo.com
Microsoft cannot train models on student or educator data, must limit data collection and provide plain-language disclosures, while AI companions are prohibited and high-risk decisions require human oversight.

Privacy & surveillance Confirmed

Child account limits Microsoft data sharing

Microsoft limits how it shares a child's information in child accounts.

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consumer.ftc.gov
For example, a child account limits how Microsoft shares your child’s information.
cbsnews.com
Parents with children who play games on their parents' Xbox Live account can create a separate child account, which provides additional privacy protections, such as limits on how Microsoft shares your child's data and only allowing your child to communicate with friends whom you approve in advance.

Privacy & surveillance Confirmed

Microsoft does not use email or personal files for ad targeting

Microsoft states it does not use email or personal file content to target advertising.

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oag.ca.gov
Controls for how Microsoft personalizes advertising are available at https://choice.live.com (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=286759). We do not use what you say in email, chat, video calls or voice mail, or your documents, photos or other personal files, to target advertising to you.

Climate & energy Confirmed

Microsoft reduces Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 6.3%

Microsoft reported a 6.3% decrease in its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions compared to 2020.

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thehindu.com
According to the report, Microsoft’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, which are generated by the company’s activities and electricity or heat consumed has decreased by 6.3% compared to 2020.

Climate & energy Confirmed

Microsoft reduces carbon emissions to 20 million metric tons

Microsoft reduced its carbon emissions to 20 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

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geekwire.com
Editor’s note: A correction was made regarding Microsoft’s total energy use last year, replacing a data point on Scope 2 emission, and clarifying the steps taken to reduce its carbon emissions to 20 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Workplace equity Confirmed

Microsoft reports 54.8% minority workforce

Microsoft reported that 54.8% of its core workforce consists of racial and ethnic minorities in its 2023 diversity report.

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bbc.com
In its 2023 diversity report, Microsoft reported about 54.8% of its core workforce is made up of racial and ethnic minorities, which is in line in part to rivals such as Apple and Google.

Workplace equity Confirmed

Microsoft reports 4.4% Black workforce

Microsoft reported that 4.4% of its total workforce was Black in its 2019 diversity report.

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finance.yahoo.com
The total workforce at Microsoft and its family of companies such as LinkedIn was 4.4% Black, the company reported in its 2019 diversity report.