How Microsoft protects your data

A happy person typing on a Windows Surface laptop

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into everyday tools, concerns around data privacy and AI safety are more relevant than ever. With AI companions like Microsoft Copilot transforming how we work—helping us write, analyze, and create—it’s essential to understand how your personal information is handled. In this article, we’ll explore the safeguards Microsoft has put in place to ensure your data stays secure throughout your Copilot experience.

What is Copilot?

Copilot is your AI companion, designed to boost productivity by helping you write content, summarize meetings, analyze data, and more, empowering you to work smarter so you can focus on what matters most. Its growing popularity reflects how AI can simplify complex tasks and free up time for more meaningful work.

Microsoft is committed to data privacy

As AI becomes more embedded in everyday workflows, ensuring its safe and responsible use is essential. Microsoft takes these concerns seriously, building Copilot? with safeguards to ensure it remains a trustworthy and secure tool—one that respects your privacy while empowering you to achieve more.

Microsoft has built Copilot on a foundation of responsible AI principles, emphasizing transparency, fairness, and accountability. Copilot is designed to operate within Microsoft’s privacy and security framework, ensuring that your data stays within your organization’s boundaries and is not used to train foundation models.

In addition, Microsoft regularly collaborates with industry experts, regulators, and researchers to refine its privacy standards and ensure compliance with global data protection laws. These efforts reflect a deep commitment to earning and maintaining user trust—so you can use Copilot confidently, knowing your data is treated with care and integrity.

A happy student leaning against a whiteboard in a university classroom and holding a Windows Surface laptop under their arm

AI art created via Copilot

You are in control of your Copilot experience

When it comes to your privacy, you are in control. You can manage what Copilot sees and uses, and organizations can configure admin controls, set permissions, and review audit logs to track usage:

Personalized privacy controls for individuals: Individuals can manage what Copilot accesses—such as emails, documents, and calendar events—by adjusting privacy settings. This helps Copilot tailor its responses while keeping your personal data secure.
Robust admin controls for organizations: IT administrators can configure how Copilot is deployed across the enterprise. They can set permissions, define data boundaries, and control access to sensitive information.
Monitoring and accountability tools: Organizations can track Copilot usage through audit logs and reporting tools. These features support compliance, transparency, and informed decision-making.

Whether you're an individual or part of a large organization, Microsoft ensures you stay in control of your data and your Copilot experience.

Frequently asked questions about Copilot’s security

Here are the answers to some common questions regarding Copilot's AI security:

Are my Copilot conversations saved? By default, the conversations you have with Copilot are saved, and you can view and access past conversations. You can return to and reference that conversation by accessing your conversation history in the Copilot app. You can also delete individual conversations or your entire conversation history at any time.
How will my privacy be protected when I share a file with Copilot? If you share a file with Copilot (for example, uploading a document and asking Copilot to summarize it), the file will be stored securely for up to 30 days and then automatically deleted. Regardless of your privacy settings, we do not train our Copilot generative models on your uploaded files. And any conversations you have about the file will be treated just like any other conversation, subject to your choices about whether to permit model training and personalization, and which you can delete at any time.
What does Copilot remember about me? If personalization is enabled, Copilot remembers key details you share, such as your name, interests, and goals. Copilot does not remember demographic or other sensitive data. You can edit or delete what Copilot remembers or turn off personalization entirely at any time.

For more information about privacy in Copilot, visit our FAQ page.

AI safety for the future

Microsoft continues to invest in AI safety, collaborating with industry experts, regulators, and researchers to improve its models and policies. User feedback also plays a key role in shaping updates, so that Copilot evolves in a way that meets real-world needs while maintaining your trust. For those new to AI technologies, it’s natural to be cautious. But with Microsoft’s strong commitment to privacy, security, and transparency, you can lean on Copilot as your AI companion with confidence. Try Copilot today and experience the power of AI—built with safety, privacy, and your trust at its core.

DISCLAIMER: Features and functionality subject to change. Articles are written specifically for the United States market; features, functionality, and availability may vary by region.