Microsoft Services Agreement update – legit or not?

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Yesterday I received an email from Microsoft (purportedly).  It is from msa@communication.microsoft.com and states that the Services Agreement is being updated, with links to click to read the Agreement and FAQ page.  When I search online for the MSA – it shows the last update was 10/2020.  his update will take place on 6/15/2021.

I checked the links on Virustotal and it came up with 2 malicious hits – but sometimes it produces false positives.  I don’t know why it’s showing that for these links – it’s an outlook safelink, super long (I didn’t want to post it here, but I could).

I don’t like to click on links in emails – too risky!  Is this legitimate? I can wait until 6/15, I am not going to discontinue using the product, so if I wait, I can check again by searching online & see if the page that was updated in 10/2020 is updated for 6/2021.  Just wanted to check here.

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The email is genuine and the links are clean:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/upcoming.aspx

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/upcoming-faq.aspx

1 user thanked author for this post.

dmt_3904

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Then where is the green shield in the senders name. I got the same email message and there is no green shield at the end of the senders name.

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The absence of a trusted sender green shield (which only applies if you use an Outlook.com or Hotmail.com account) does not prove that an email is illegitimate.

If the sender is msa@communication.microsoft.com and the links are at microsoft.com then the email is genuine.

If you don’t trust the email, just delete it. The changes and links are in this thread, and Microsoft has fulfilled its obligation by informing you of the changes before they apply from next month.

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The upcoming changes (linked from the FAQ page) seem minor and mostly clarifications:

Summary of Changes to the Microsoft Services Agreement

We have provided a summary of the most notable changes to the Microsoft Services Agreement. To see all of the changes, please read the full Microsoft Services Agreement here.

1. In the header, we’ve updated the publication date to April 1, 2021 and the effective date to June 15, 2021.

2. In the Closing Your Account section, we’ve clarified that when you ask us to close your Microsoft account, you can choose to put it in a suspended state for either 30 or 60 days just in case you change your mind. After that 30- or 60-day period, your Microsoft account will be closed. Logging back in during the suspension period will reactivate your Microsoft account.

3. In the Payment Terms section, we’ve clarified our cancellation policies if you initiate a chargeback or reversal with your bank for your payment of Services.

4. In the Xbox section, we’ve added references to specific subscriptions and services, included ambassadors in the Game Managers section, and clarified ways to purchase virtual, game currency. We’ve also removed the sections for Arena and Mixer because we no longer offer those services.

5. In the Skype and GroupMe section, we’ve included Microsoft Teams. We’ve also clarified that Microsoft is not required to offer access to Emergency Services for Skype, Microsoft Teams, and GroupMe. We’ve also clarified your responsibilities around traditional mobile or fixed line telephone services. Microsoft Teams also may be subject to international message fees. We added a link to information about using a Skype Number, and clarified that you may be entitled, under applicable law, to a refund, upon request, of any pre-paid subscription balance in the event you switch your Skype Number to another provider. We also removed the Government Users and the Send and receive money sections because we no longer support these options.

6. In the Outlook and Office Services sections, we’ve removed the Outlook.com section to clarify that an email address or username is not recycled into our system or assigned to another user. We’ve also included reference to the use of Bing Maps for Outlook.

7. In the Microsoft Rewards section, we’ve clarified ways to use your Rewards points for donating to non-profit organizations.

8. In the Notices section, we’ve clarified that financial information provided through the Services is for your personal, noncommercial use only, and that other uses require a separate agreement with our third-party licensors.

9. Throughout the Terms, we’ve made changes to improve clarity and to address grammar, typos, update naming and hyperlinks, and other similar issues.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/upcoming-updates.aspx

1 user thanked author for this post.

Cybertooth

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Thank you for this summary!  Reading through it carefully, I don’t use any of those products or services.  The only MS product I use, as far as I know, is Windows 10 and I guess Edge (it’s on my computer, having been pushed there with Windows, but I rarely use it).  Would I still be getting this email legitimately?   Thanks.

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If you read the full Microsoft Service Agreement it includes a huge list of covered products, apps and services; some of which are actually part of Windows 10, like Microsoft Account, Microsoft/Windows Store and OneDrive, Paint 3d etc.

The services agreement itself is also part of Windows 10 because it can be reviewed at Settings, System, About (below version/build etc., with the software license terms),
It’s also referenced on the bottom line of the software license terms, so it becomes part of what you have to agree to before you start using Windows.

So it’s extremely likely that such an email is genuine, especially if your email address is used for a Microsoft Account.

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I get the same feeling look at this email. I was glad to see someone else feels the same way

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Hi I received  numerous hotmail and outlook accounts, the last one from xxx@outlook.com stating that my account from the 31st June (LOL) I will not be able to access it.

 

Is this a scam???

 

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Of course it’s a scam. (If you think it might be a scam is usually is.)

It will probably have a link to “renew” your account and the link will point to some obscure website where they will ask for your email login, which they will steal and use your account for malware and scams.

Mark it as junk so your mail client will learn to recognise those emails as spam.

cheers, Paul

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Hi, I thought it was a scam, but now I don’t have any incoming emails to my hotmail account, in the focused or other folders – all gone, except for the junk folder.
Any suggestions on getting my emails back by any chance.

Thanks Bev

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There is no reason for the email to disappear.
Have you logged in via your browser?

cheers, Paul

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Published: June 15, 2022
Effective: August 15, 2022

Here is the latest Microsoft service agreement:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/upcoming.aspx

I don’t know if you will receive Microsoft notice.

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