# Xbox Game Bar privacy rating

Gaming overlay built into Windows for recording game clips and screenshots, with widgets for performance monitoring, audio control and Xbox social features.

## Summary

Xbox Game Bar scores 35 out of 100 (grade F) on the screenshots and screen recording criteria. It meets 2 of 6 criteria: no ads or data sales and saved locally by default. It partly meets no account needed. It does not meet open source, no trackers or telemetry and independent audit. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.

- Website: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nzkpstsnw4p
- Jurisdiction: United States. Five Eyes member. Subject to the US CLOUD Act.
- Platforms: Windows
- Category: [Screenshots and screen recording](https://privacyratings.com/screen-recording/)
- Also rated: [Outlook.com](https://privacyratings.com/email-providers/outlook-com/) (Email providers), [Microsoft Outlook](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/microsoft-outlook/) (Email clients), [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), [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 (35/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | No | Closed source. |  |
| No trackers or telemetry | No | Required Windows diagnostic data is sent to Microsoft and can only be turned off on Enterprise, Education and Server editions. | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/configure-windows-diagnostic-data-in-your-organization |
| No ads or data sales | Yes | No ads in the overlay, which is included with Windows. Microsoft states it does not use personal files, photos or documents to target ads. | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/privacystatement#mainadvertisingmodule |
| Independent audit | No | No independent audit is published. |  |
| Saved locally by default | Yes | Recordings and screenshots are saved to the local Captures folder under Videos. | https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows/use-a-screen-reader-to-record-your-screen-with-xbox-game-bar |
| No account needed | Partial | Recording and screenshots work without signing in. Xbox social features such as friends and chat need a Microsoft account. | https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows/use-a-screen-reader-to-record-your-screen-with-xbox-game-bar |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/screen-recording/xbox-game-bar/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/screen-recording/xbox-game-bar.md