S.L.A.M. PRIVACY STATEMENT

(Last updated:  May, 2009)

Microsoft is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Statement explains data collection and use practices of Slam.MSResearch.us site, S.L.A.M. application, including without limitation your Windows SmartPhone, non-SmartPhone and SMS text messaging (collectively the “Application”) it does not apply to other online or offline Microsoft sites, products or services. By accessing the Application, you are consenting to the information collection and use practices described in this Privacy Statement.

Please note:  All of your SmartPhone, nonSmartPhone, and SMS text messages communicated through the S.L.A.M. Research Project may be recorded or archived and stored on Microsoft’s Research servers. Such message data can be viewed by other members of your S.L.A.M. group.  If additional data types – such as physical location – are recorded in the future, you will be able to choose whether that data will also be viewable by other group members.

Collection and Use of Your Information

We will ask you when we need information that personally identifies you (personal information) or allows us to contact you. The personal information we collect may include your name, title, company or organization name, e-mail address, phone, work or home address, information about your job function, information about your company, and credit card information.

The Application may collect certain information about your usage, such as text messaging data, along with the relevant metadata (e.g., timestamps, group to which each message was sent), the number of text messages sent and size of the group over time.

The personal information collected on this Application will be used by Microsoft and its controlled subsidiaries and affiliates to operate the Application and to provide the service(s) or carry out the transaction(s) you have requested or authorized, and perform research.  It may also be used to analyze and improve Microsoft products and services.

In support of these uses, Microsoft may use personal information so that we might better understand the perspective of our end-users and develop technologies that enhance the quality of people’s social interactions, and people’s physical communities, and to provide you with more effective customer service, to improve the Application and any related Microsoft research, products or services, to make the Application easier to use by eliminating the need for you to repeatedly enter the same information or by customizing the Application to your particular preference or interests

We may send certain mandatory service communications such as welcome letters, information on technical service issues, and security announcements. Some Microsoft services may send periodic member letters that are considered part of the service. We may occasionally request your feedback, invite you to participate in surveys, or send you promotional mailings to inform you of other products or services available from Microsoft and its affiliates.

Except as described in this statement, personal information you provide will not be transferred to third parties without your consent. We occasionally hire other companies to provide limited services on our behalf, such as packaging, sending and delivering purchases and other mailings, answering customer questions about products or services, processing event registration, or performing statistical analysis of our services. We will only provide those companies the personal information they need to deliver the service, and they are prohibited from using that information for any other purpose.

Microsoft may access or disclose information about you, including the content of your communications, in order to: (a) comply with the law or respond to lawful requests or legal process; (b) protect the rights or property of Microsoft or our customers, including the enforcement of our agreements or policies governing your use of the services; or (c) act on a good faith belief that such access or disclosure is necessary to protect the personal safety of Microsoft employees, customers, or the public.

 Information that is collected by or sent to Microsoft by S.L.A.M. may be stored and processed in the United States or any other country in which Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or service providers 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. 

Access to your Personal Information
You can review and edit the personal information and contact preferences you provided to the Application by sending e-mail to
slamcore@microsoft.com or writing to:

Social Computing Group
Microsoft Research
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA  98052-6399

Collection and Use of Information about Your Computer

When you use software with Internet-enabled features, information about your computer ("standard computer information") is sent to the Web sites you visit and online services you use. Microsoft uses standard computer information to provide you Internet-enabled services, to help improve our products and services, and for statistical analysis. Standard computer information typically includes information such as your IP address, operating system version, browser version, and regional and language settings. In some cases, standard computer information may also include hardware ID, which indicates the device manufacturer, device name, and version. If a particular feature or service sends information to Microsoft, standard computer information will be sent as well. 

Security of your information

Microsoft is committed to helping protect the security of your information. We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. For example, we store the information you provide on computer systems with limited access, which are located in controlled facilities.

Cookies
We do not use cookies in this Application

Changes to this privacy statement

We will occasionally update this privacy statement to reflect changes in our products, services, and customer feedback. When we post changes, we will revise the "last updated" date at the top of this statement. If there are material changes to this statement or in how Microsoft will use your personal information, we will notify you either by posting a notice of such changes prior to implementing the change or by directly sending you a notification. We encourage you to periodically review this statement to be informed of how Microsoft is protecting your information.

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 at:

Social Computing Group
Microsoft Research
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA  98052-6399