Data collection summary for Xbox
Important
Xbox consoles provide fast, powerful hardware, the ability to connect with millions of gamers in the Xbox Community, and the best value in games and entertainment. This summary applies to the Xbox One generation of consoles as well as the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles.
Overview of Required and Optional data
Microsoft is dedicated to being transparent with our customers and giving them more control over their data. As part of this work, we’ve moved our major products and services to a model where the personal data we collect from customers as they use their devices are classified as either Required or Optional. This makes it easier for our customers to find information about the data we collect and how we use it, and to make informed choices about their privacy.
This article provides an overview of the types of data that are Required and Optional, the specific categories of personal data that are collected by the Xbox console, and how our customers can change their privacy settings to customize the data they share with Microsoft.
Required data
Data in the Required category is necessary to keep our products safe, secure, up to date, and performing as expected. Required data includes things like:
- Details of errors that might prevent Xbox services from enabling games and apps
- Details of Xbox console setup success and failure to diagnose issues that would keep you from using the console
- Details of Xbox mobile app update success and failure, as well as other errors
In some cases, a customer can control whether Required data is collected by deciding whether to use the product features or functions that depend on that data. For example, if you use the Xbox Store on the console to buy a digital game, we will collect the Required diagnostic data to track that the purchase was successful. Instead, you might choose to buy a disk from a retailer if you would prefer not to have Required diagnostic data collected about the Xbox Store purchase.
Required diagnostic data
| Data Category | Description | Examples Include |
| Device connectivity and configuration | This type of Required diagnostic data includes details about the console, its configuration, and connectivity capabilities. |
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| Product and service performance | This type of Required diagnostic data includes details about console health and performance. |
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| Software setup and inventory | This type of Required diagnostic data includes software installation and update information on the console. |
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| Product and Service Usage | This type of Required diagnostic data includes details about the usage of the console, games, applications and service features. |
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Required service data
Xbox consists of client software applications and connected experiences to enable you to find, buy, and play solo and multiplayer games and share in social experiences on the Xbox network. As you use the Xbox network, data is sent to and processed by Microsoft. This data is crucial to our ability to deliver these connected experiences.
Required service data isn’t a specific data type or category. Instead, it’s a general description for all data required to be processed when interacting with the Xbox network. Required service data includes things like your name, age, gamertag, country, and other information needed to provide connected experiences and keep underlying services secure, up to date, and performing as expected. Required service data can also include information needed by a connected experience to perform its task, such as licenses to launch multiplayer games and enable cloud gaming.