Microsoft Update Catalog

(Last Modified: May, 2007)

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

What is the Update Catalog? The Update Catalog is a Microsoft service that provides a listing of Microsoft software updates, drivers, and hotfixes that information technology administrators can distribute over a corporate network.

What information is collected? The Update Catalog collects information about your computer that allows us to operate and improve the Update Catalog, such as:

The software you choose to download The successes, failures, and errors you experience when accessing the Update Catalog and downloading software Your search queries in the Update Catalog A Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) (see below for details) Update Catalog client version

We may collect information about your visit, including the pages you view, the links you click, and other actions taken in connection with the Update Catalog website. We also collect certain standard information that your browser sends to every website you visit, such as your IP address, operating system version, browser version, and your regional and language settings.

How is the information used? The information sent to Microsoft is used to operate the Update Catalog and to generate aggregate statistics about how the Update Catalog is used and types of computer systems that need support. These statistics help improve Microsoft software and the Update Catalog.

To generate accurate statistics, the Update Catalog uses a globally unique identifier (GUID) that is stored on your computer to uniquely identify it. The GUID does not contain any information that can be used to identify you, or the organization using the Update Catalog. The GUID is used to track whether the download of specific updates succeeded or failed and how widespread the feedback is so we can prioritize it. For example, the GUID allows Microsoft to distinguish between one customer experiencing a problem one hundred times and one hundred customers experiencing the same problem once.

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 abides by the safe harbor framework as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the collection, use, and retention of data from the European Union. 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 or defend the rights or property of Microsoft and its family of websites, 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 these companies only the information they need to deliver the service. They are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information and are prohibited from using it for any other purpose.

E-mail Address Collection If you are downloading a hotfix, you have the option of providing Update Catalog with your e-mail address. This address is used to notify you about important events concerning the hotfixes that you have downloaded (for example, when a hotfix that you download is replaced by a newer version).

About surveys You might be invited to participate in a survey about the way you use the Update Catalog. Each survey includes a privacy statement that details the way Microsoft will use the information submitted with that survey.

Security practices Microsoft is committed to helping protect the security of the information we collect. The Update Catalog uses a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect the information collected from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. The information is stored on computer servers with limited and controlled access.

Changes to this statement Microsoft may update this privacy statement. If we do, we will revise the “Last updated” information at the top of the statement. To stay informed about how we are helping protect the information collected by Update Catalog, we encourage you to periodically review the privacy statement.

For more information Microsoft welcomes your comments regarding this privacy statement. If you believe that Microsoft has not adhered to this statement, please contact us at the Privacy Response Center. We will use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly determine and remedy the problem.

Microsoft Update Catalog Privacy c/o the Microsoft Privacy Response Center Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA, 98052 USA To find contact details for the Microsoft subsidiary or affiliate in your country or region, visit Microsoft Worldwide.