Non-US users posting mail on Microsoft`s Hotmail service automatically rescind their rights to the contents of the mail to Microsoft, according to the Passport privacy policy.
Despite changes to its Passport privacy policy for US users, Microsoft has yet to alter terms and conditions for international users of services using the Passport authentication service, which includes Microsoft Hotmail and Microsoft`s .NET framework.
According to the privacy policy for International users, "by posting messages, uploading files, inputting data, submitting any feedback or suggestions, or engaging in any other form of communication with or through the Passport Web Site, you warrant and represent that you own or otherwise control the rights necessary to do so and you are granting Microsoft and its affiliated companies permission to: Use, modify, copy, distribute, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, reproduce, publish, sublicense, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any such communication; sublicense to third-parties the unrestricted right to exercise any of the foregoing rights granted with respect to the communication; publish your name in connection with any such communication."
The document continues: "The foregoing grants shall include the right to exploit any proprietary rights in such communication, including but not limited to rights under copyright, trademark, service mark or patent laws under any relevant jurisdiction. No compensation will be paid with respect to Microsoft`s use of the materials contained within such communication."
Users logging in to the privacy policy with their Windows regional setting set to US receive an altered privacy policy, which claims rights only to feedback or suggestions that are submitted to Microsoft.
US users are also shown a second window that states that the international terms of use are in the process of being updated, but does not provide a time frame for the change. International users - to whom the message applies - are not shown this page.
Microsoft South Africa was not available for comment at the time of publication.
The privacy policy can be viewed at http://www.passport.com/Consumer/PrivacyPolicy.asp.
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