# Microsoft Outlook privacy rating

Microsoft's email and calendar app for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and the web. Works with Outlook.com, Microsoft 365, Exchange and other IMAP accounts.

## Summary

Microsoft Outlook scores 11 out of 100 (grade F) on the email clients criteria. It meets 1 of 8 criteria: works with any provider. It partly meets blocks remote content. It does not meet open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, independent audit, OpenPGP support and connects directly. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.

- Website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/outlook
- Jurisdiction: United States. Five Eyes member. Subject to the US CLOUD Act.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
- Home page trackers: none found
- Category: [Email clients](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/)
- Also rated: [Outlook.com](https://privacyratings.com/email-providers/outlook-com/) (Email providers), [Microsoft Defender for Office 365](https://privacyratings.com/spam-filters/microsoft-defender-for-office-365/) (Spam and virus filtering), [Microsoft Exchange Server](https://privacyratings.com/mail-server-software/microsoft-exchange-server/) (Mail server software), [Microsoft Edge](https://privacyratings.com/browsers/microsoft-edge/) (Browsers), [Bing](https://privacyratings.com/search-engines/bing/) (Search engines), [Microsoft Authenticator](https://privacyratings.com/two-factor-authentication/microsoft-authenticator/) (Two-factor authentication), [BitLocker](https://privacyratings.com/file-encryption/bitlocker/) (File encryption), [SDelete](https://privacyratings.com/data-erasers/sdelete/) (Data erasers), [Microsoft Defender Antivirus](https://privacyratings.com/anti-malware/microsoft-defender-antivirus/) (Anti-malware), [Microsoft Teams](https://privacyratings.com/team-chat/microsoft-teams/) (Team chat), [Microsoft Azure](https://privacyratings.com/server-hosting/microsoft-azure/) (Server hosting), [Microsoft SwiftKey](https://privacyratings.com/keyboards/microsoft-swiftkey/) (Mobile keyboards), [Windows 11](https://privacyratings.com/desktop-operating-systems/windows-11/) (Desktop operating systems), [Media Creation Tool](https://privacyratings.com/os-installers/media-creation-tool/) (OS downloaders and bootable USB tools), [PowerToys Command Palette](https://privacyratings.com/launchers/powertoys-command-palette/) (App launchers), [Windows Clipboard History](https://privacyratings.com/clipboard-managers/windows-clipboard-history/) (Clipboard managers), [SigCheck](https://privacyratings.com/windows-hardening/sigcheck/) (Windows hardening), [Hyper-V](https://privacyratings.com/virtual-machines/hyper-v/) (Virtual machines), [Microsoft OneNote](https://privacyratings.com/notes/microsoft-onenote/) (Notes), [Microsoft Visio](https://privacyratings.com/diagrams/microsoft-visio/) (Diagrams and whiteboards), [Outlook Calendar](https://privacyratings.com/calendars/outlook-calendar/) (Calendars), [Microsoft Bookings](https://privacyratings.com/scheduling/microsoft-bookings/) (Scheduling), [Microsoft To Do](https://privacyratings.com/task-management/microsoft-to-do/) (Task management), [Microsoft 365](https://privacyratings.com/office-suites/microsoft-365/) (Office suites), [Snipping Tool](https://privacyratings.com/screen-recording/snipping-tool/) (Screenshots and screen recording), [Xbox Game Bar](https://privacyratings.com/screen-recording/xbox-game-bar/) (Screenshots and screen recording), [Microsoft Forms](https://privacyratings.com/forms/microsoft-forms/) (Forms and surveys), [Microsoft Translator](https://privacyratings.com/translation/microsoft-translator/) (Translation), [Windows Voice Typing](https://privacyratings.com/speech-to-text/windows-voice-typing/) (Dictation and transcription), [Microsoft Copilot](https://privacyratings.com/ai-assistants/microsoft-copilot/) (AI assistants), [Microsoft OneDrive](https://privacyratings.com/cloud-storage/microsoft-onedrive/) (Encrypted cloud storage), [Visual Studio Code](https://privacyratings.com/code-editors/visual-studio-code/) (Code editors), [Windows Terminal](https://privacyratings.com/terminals/windows-terminal/) (Terminals), [.NET MAUI](https://privacyratings.com/app-frameworks/net-maui/) (Cross-platform app frameworks), [ASP.NET Core](https://privacyratings.com/dotnet-frameworks/asp-net-core/) (.NET web frameworks), [Blazor](https://privacyratings.com/dotnet-frameworks/blazor/) (.NET web frameworks), [Microsoft Clarity](https://privacyratings.com/web-analytics/microsoft-clarity/) (Website analytics)
- Grade: F (11/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | No | Closed source. |  |
| No trackers or telemetry | No | Exodus finds six trackers in the Android app, including AppNexus, Facebook Ads and Singular. | https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/com.microsoft.office.outlook/latest/ |
| No ads or data sales | No | The free Outlook apps show ads to users without a paid Microsoft 365 plan. | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/privacystatement |
| Independent audit | No | No independent audit of the Outlook apps is published. |  |
| OpenPGP support | No | Not supported. S/MIME and Microsoft Purview encryption are available instead. |  |
| Connects directly | No | The mobile app syncs mail from all added accounts, including third-party ones, to Microsoft servers. Desktop sync to Microsoft servers is optional. | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/privacystatement#mainoutlookmodule |
| Blocks remote content | Partial | Classic Outlook for Windows blocks automatic picture downloads by default. Other Outlook apps differ. | https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/block-or-unblock-automatic-picture-downloads-in-classic-outlook-email-messages |
| Works with any provider | Yes | Works with Microsoft accounts and accounts from third-party providers. | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/privacystatement#mainoutlookmodule |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/microsoft-outlook/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/email-clients/microsoft-outlook.md