- Specifically, the update prevents users from mining on any Microsoft online service.
- Microsoft’s new policy limits cryptocurrency mining on its cloud services.
Microsoft updated its terms of service to explicitly forbid the mining of cryptocurrency on its hosted platforms without express permission. This update became available in December, and it’s for everyone, not just Microsoft’s paid members.
Specifically, the update prevents users from mining on any Microsoft online service. Including those that are linked to the Azure cloud computing platform. In proof-of-work blockchains, miners check and append transaction records. The updated terms of the universal license may be seen on Microsoft’s website under “accepted use policy.”
The terms read:
“Neither customer, nor those that access an Online Service through “Customer”, may use an Online Service … to mine cryptocurrency without Microsoft’s prior written approval.”
Safeguarding Partner Ecosystem
Microsoft’s new policy limits cryptocurrency mining on its cloud services without explicit permission, bringing it in line with those of other large firms like Google. Users of Amazon’s free tier are also barred from engaging in mining activities.
Microsoft issued a statement:
“Cryptocurrency mining can disrupt or even impair Online Services and its users, and is often associated with unauthorized access to and use of customer accounts,”
Partners, or partner firms, are defined as organizations that assist in the onboarding of software clients for Azure’s cloud services, and this modification was referenced in a message sent out to Azure customers as one of several measures done to safeguard the partner ecosystem.
Microsoft has issued a warning to its customers about a new cryptocurrency-mining malware software that may steal passwords, disable security features, propagate over email, and disable even more human-operated functions.
