Microsoft Bing

Report September 2025

Submitted

Your organisation description

Empowering Researchers

Commitment 26

Relevant Signatories commit to provide access, wherever safe and practicable, to continuous, real-time or near real-time, searchable stable access to non-personal data and anonymised, aggregated, or manifestly-made public data for research purposes on Disinformation through automated means such as APIs or other open and accessible technical solutions allowing the analysis of said data.

We signed up to the following measures of this commitment

Measure 26.1 Measure 26.3

In line with this commitment, did you deploy new implementation measures (e.g. changes to your terms of service, new tools, new policies, etc)?

No

If yes, list these implementation measures here

N/A

Do you plan to put further implementation measures in place in the next 6 months to substantially improve the maturity of the implementation of this commitment?

Yes

If yes, which further implementation measures do you plan to put in place in the next 6 months?

Bing is dedicated to supporting the research community and welcomes feedback from this vital community and the Commission on the types of data that would be most useful for safety research. 

Measure 26.1

Relevant Signatories will provide public access to non-personal data and anonymised, aggregated or manifestly-made public data pertinent to undertaking research on Disinformation on their services, such as engagement and impressions (views) of content hosted by their services, with reasonable safeguards to address risks of abuse (e.g. API policies prohibiting malicious or commercial uses).

QRE 26.1.1

Relevant Signatories will describe the tools and processes in place to provide public access to non-personal data and anonymised, aggregated and manifestly-made public data pertinent to undertaking research on Disinformation, as well as the safeguards in place to address risks of abuse.

Bing Search and Microsoft are dedicated to supporting the research community and regularly provide information and data to the research community in a variety of ways.

Bing Search also offers use of Bing APIs to the public, which include Bing Image Search, Bing News Search, Bing Video Search, Bing Visual Search, Bing Web Search, Bing Entity Search, Bing Autosuggest, and Bing Spell Check. Bing Search provides free access to these APIs for up to 1,000 transactions per month, which may be leveraged by the research community. 

Researchers who are registered webmasters may utilize Bing Search’s Keyword Tools and Backlinks Webmaster Tools to provide insights into search usage and keywords. Bing is also working on ways to provide deeper research access to the tool across the research community and hopes to provide updates in its next report.

Microsoft maintains a public portal of codes, APIs, software development kits, and datasets that are available to the Research Community at Researcher tools: code & datasets - Microsoft Research. These public research tools can be accessed by researchers and downloaded instantaneously without formal applications or login credentials. 

Microsoft is also a leader in Responsible AI and offers and offers a range of tools and resources to promote responsible usage of artificial intelligence. Information on Microsoft’s tools, practices, and policies to uphold its responsible AI principles can be found at Responsible AI: Ethical policies and practices | Microsoft AI.

Bing operates its Qualified Researcher Program in alignment with the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), Article 40(12), to enable EU researchers to easily request access for publicly accessible Bing data from a singular landing page.  However, because these datasets are already available open-source (see above), some researchers may elect to obtain datasets via the above means to avoid the burden of an application and credentialing process.

Bing has engaged with European researchers on eligible requests under the Bing Qualified Researcher program such as search data on local elections based on the types of data that will be most useful to the research community. Through this program, Bing has shared data with researchers from different European countries.

Lastly, given the open nature of the Bing Search index and public nature of search results, researchers can utilize Bing Search, Copilot Search, Bing Image Creator and Bing Video Creator to run specific queries and analyze results (unlike social media which may require private accounts or connections between users to access certain materials). 

QRE 26.1.2

Relevant Signatories will publish information related to data points available via Measure 25.1, as well as details regarding the technical protocols to be used to access these data points, in the relevant help centre. This information should also be reachable from the Transparency Centre. At minimum, this information will include definitions of the data points available, technical and methodological information about how they were created, and information about the representativeness of the data.

Bing published information on its Qualified Researcher Program at Bing Qualified Researcher Program - Microsoft Support. Bing will publish additional information as it becomes available. 

SLI 26.1.1

Relevant Signatories will provide quantitative information on the uptake of the tools and processes described in Measure 26.1, such as number of users.

Bing has a tracking tool for all the data requests by researchers in alignment with the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), Article 40(12). The tool includes the information on the researcher, received and response dates, link to application, provided answer and rational amongst other information. 

Nr of data requests from qualified researchers: 2

Measure 26.3

Relevant Signatories will implement procedures for reporting the malfunctioning of access systems and for restoring access and repairing faulty functionalities in a reasonable time.

QRE 26.3.1

Relevant Signatories will describe the reporting procedures in place to comply with Measure 26.3 and provide information about their malfunction response procedure, as well as about malfunctions that would have prevented the use of the systems described above during the reporting period and how long it took to remediate them.

For Bing Search’s Keyword Research tool, users can report issues by creating a support request ticket at Webmaster Support - Bing Webmaster Tools.

For Bing API access, users can report issues at https://aka.ms/bingapisupport.

 For Bing’s EU qualified researcher program, users can find information to report issues at Bing Qualified Researcher Program - Microsoft Support

Commitment 28

COOPERATION WITH RESEARCHERS Relevant Signatories commit to support good faith research into Disinformation that involves their services.

We signed up to the following measures of this commitment

Measure 28.2 Measure 28.3

In line with this commitment, did you deploy new implementation measures (e.g. changes to your terms of service, new tools, new policies, etc)?

Yes

If yes, list these implementation measures here

Bing and Microsoft have initiated new research projects and undertaken internal research on misinformation risks in image generation services, generative AI in elections, and other important topics.

Starting in June of 2025 Microsoft launched our AI Election Management Body Accelerator program. Since then, this program has reached election leaders around the world, delivering hands-on training at major events like International IDEA workshops. In a few short months, we’ve engaged over 1,400 participants representing 60+ countries through in-person and virtual workshops, panels, and webinars—demonstrating the breadth and impact of our commitment to supporting election offices at every level. This included a workshop co-hosted by International IDEA and the Swedish election authority in Stockholm in June that was attended by election authorities from Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK.  

Do you plan to put further implementation measures in place in the next 6 months to substantially improve the maturity of the implementation of this commitment?

Yes

If yes, which further implementation measures do you plan to put in place in the next 6 months?

Ongoing review of researcher feedback and requests may result in additional measures and resources.

In addition, Microsoft Research regularly explores potential partnerships with third party research institutions and is actively in discussions with several research institutions on potential misinformation and disinformation related research that may leverage Bing Search data. Microsoft’s internal research divisions also regularly initiate and support research relevant to misinformation and disinformation and further research may be released in the next reporting period.

Measure 28.2

Relevant Signatories will be transparent on the data types they currently make available to researchers across Europe.

QRE 28.2.1

Relevant Signatories will describe what data types European researchers can currently access via their APIs or via dedicated teams, tools, help centres, programs, or events.

See QRE 26.1.1. 

Measure 28.3

Relevant Signatories will not prohibit or discourage genuinely and demonstratively public interest good faith research into Disinformation on their platforms, and will not take adversarial action against researcher users or accounts that undertake or participate in good-faith research into Disinformation.

QRE 28.3.1

Relevant Signatories will collaborate with EDMO to run an annual consultation of European researchers to assess whether they have experienced adversarial actions or are otherwise prohibited or discouraged to run such research.

We look forward to partnering with other relevant signatories on this project and will provide further reporting as the annual consultation is established. 

Transparency Centre

Commitment 34

To ensure transparency and accountability around the implementation of this Code, Relevant Signatories commit to set up and maintain a publicly available common Transparency Centre website.

We signed up to the following measures of this commitment

Measure 34.1 Measure 34.2 Measure 34.3 Measure 34.4 Measure 34.5

In line with this commitment, did you deploy new implementation measures (e.g. changes to your terms of service, new tools, new policies, etc)?

Yes

If yes, list these implementation measures here

Microsoft Bing has actively contributed in the Transparency Center subgroup, providing feedback on the functioning and usability of the Transparency Center website. 

Do you plan to put further implementation measures in place in the next 6 months to substantially improve the maturity of the implementation of this commitment?

Yes

If yes, which further implementation measures do you plan to put in place in the next 6 months?

Microsoft Bing is committed to the proper functioning of the Transparency Center website and will therefore continue its engagement in the Transparency Center subgroup in order to assess the necessity of technical adjustments and new actions to improve the website. 

Commitment 35

Signatories commit to ensure that the Transparency Centre contains all the relevant information related to the implementation of the Code's Commitments and Measures and that this information is presented in an easy-to-understand manner, per service, and is easily searchable.

We signed up to the following measures of this commitment

Measure 35.1 Measure 35.2 Measure 35.3 Measure 35.4

In line with this commitment, did you deploy new implementation measures (e.g. changes to your terms of service, new tools, new policies, etc)?

Yes

If yes, list these implementation measures here

Microsoft Bing will upload its September 2025 Report to the Transparency Centre website in a timely manner, which includes clear and simple information on the new or existing policies and actions that each service has implemented based on our Subscription document. 

Do you plan to put further implementation measures in place in the next 6 months to substantially improve the maturity of the implementation of this commitment?

Yes

If yes, which further implementation measures do you plan to put in place in the next 6 months?

Within the context of the work of the Transparency Center subgroup, Microsoft Bing will assess the necessity of technical adjustments and contribute to actions where necessary, aiming to make the website more user-friendly and easily accessible for users ahead of the next reporting period. 

Permanent Task-Force

Commitment 37

Signatories commit to participate in the permanent Task-force. The Task-force includes the Signatories of the Code and representatives from EDMO and ERGA. It is chaired by the European Commission, and includes representatives of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The Task-force can also invite relevant experts as observers to support its work. Decisions of the Task-force are made by consensus.

We signed up to the following measures of this commitment

Measure 37.1 Measure 37.2 Measure 37.4 Measure 37.5 Measure 37.6

In line with this commitment, did you deploy new implementation measures (e.g. changes to your terms of service, new tools, new policies, etc)?

Yes

If yes, list these implementation measures here

Microsoft Bing has actively engaged in and contributed to the work of the Task-force and the Subgroups and Working Groups that took place during the reporting period. 

Do you plan to put further implementation measures in place in the next 6 months to substantially improve the maturity of the implementation of this commitment?

Yes

If yes, which further implementation measures do you plan to put in place in the next 6 months?

Microsoft Bing is committed to continuing its active engagement in and contribution to the Task-force and relevant Subgroups and Working Groups in the upcoming six-month period. 

Measure 37.6

Signatories agree to notify the rest of the Task-force when a Commitment or Measure would benefit from changes over time as their practices and approaches evolve, in view of technological, societal, market, and legislative developments. Having discussed the changes required, the Relevant Signatories will update their subscription document accordingly and report on the changes in their next report.

QRE 37.6.1

Signatories will describe how they engage in the work of the Task-force in the reporting period, including the sub-groups they engaged with.

Microsoft Bing has actively engaged in and contributed to all the Task-force Plenary meetings as well as to the meetings of all Subgroups and Working Groups relevant to its subscription that were active in the current reporting cycle. As part of each Subgroup and Working Group relevant to its subscription that has taken place during the reporting period, Microsoft Bing has actively contributed to the development of the deliverables that were collectively agreed. 

Monitoring of the Code

Commitment 38

The Signatories commit to dedicate adequate financial and human resources and put in place appropriate internal processes to ensure the implementation of their commitments under the Code.

We signed up to the following measures of this commitment

Measure 38.1

In line with this commitment, did you deploy new implementation measures (e.g. changes to your terms of service, new tools, new policies, etc)?

Yes

If yes, list these implementation measures here

A dedicated team within Microsoft Bing continues to ensure proper tracking and compliance with the Code of Practice across all applicable geographical areas, consisting of relevant product attorneys, as well as members of the European Government Affairs team and Elections and Societal Resilience Team. 

Do you plan to put further implementation measures in place in the next 6 months to substantially improve the maturity of the implementation of this commitment?

Yes

If yes, which further implementation measures do you plan to put in place in the next 6 months?

Microsoft Bing will continue its efforts to ensure continued progress towards compliance of relevant measures. 

Measure 38.1

Relevant Signatories will outline the teams and internal processes they have in place, per service, to comply with the Code in order to achieve full coverage across the Member States and the languages of the EU.

QRE 38.1.1

Relevant Signatories will outline the teams and internal processes they have in place, per service, to comply with the Code in order to achieve full coverage across the Member States and the languages of the EU.

Microsoft Bing implemented a dedicated team to ensure proper tracking and compliance with the Code of Practice across all applicable geographical areas, consisting of relevant product attorneys, as well as members of the European Government Affairs team and Elections and Societal Resilience Team. In addition, we implemented an internal tracking process that captured all relevant commitments, responsible entity and persons responsible for compliance with the Code of Practice. Moreover, regular review of new product features take place to assess potential impacts and compliance under the Code. 

Commitment 40

Signatories commit to provide regular reporting on Service Level Indicators (SLIs) and Qualitative Reporting Elements (QREs). The reports and data provided should allow for a thorough assessment of the extent of the implementation of the Code’s Commitments and Measures by each Signatory, service and at Member State level.

We signed up to the following measures of this commitment

Measure 40.1 Measure 40.3 Measure 40.4 Measure 40.5 Measure 40.6

In line with this commitment, did you deploy new implementation measures (e.g. changes to your terms of service, new tools, new policies, etc)?

Yes

If yes, list these implementation measures here

This Report sets out in detail the measures that Microsoft Bing has taken in view of the regular reporting that they have subscribed to under the Code of Practice. 

Do you plan to put further implementation measures in place in the next 6 months to substantially improve the maturity of the implementation of this commitment?

Yes

If yes, which further implementation measures do you plan to put in place in the next 6 months?

Microsoft Bing has worked over the past months to ensure it is in a position for the delivery of the September 2025 Report and looks forward to further expanding and deepening its implementation work ahead of the next reporting cycle. 

Commitment 42

Relevant Signatories commit to provide, in special situations like elections or crisis, upon request of the European Commission, proportionate and appropriate information and data, including ad-hoc specific reports and specific chapters within the regular monitoring, in accordance with the rapid response system established by the Task-force.

We signed up to the following measures of this commitment

In line with this commitment, did you deploy new implementation measures (e.g. changes to your terms of service, new tools, new policies, etc)?

Yes 

If yes, list these implementation measures here

Microsoft Bing has been an active participant in and contributor to the Task-force’s Elections Working Group, working with signatories to finalize the Elections Rapid Response System, which has subsequently been implemented in our internal workflows. 

Do you plan to put further implementation measures in place in the next 6 months to substantially improve the maturity of the implementation of this commitment?

Yes

If yes, which further implementation measures do you plan to put in place in the next 6 months?

Microsoft Bing looks forward to continuing the cooperation between Signatories in the context of the Task-force’s Crisis Response Subgroup and Elections Working Group. 

Commitment 43

Relevant Signatories commit to provide, in special situations like elections or crisis, upon request of the European Commission, proportionate and appropriate information and data, including ad-hoc specific reports and specific chapters within the regular monitoring, in accordance with the rapid response system established by the Taskforce.

We signed up to the following measures of this commitment

In line with this commitment, did you deploy new implementation measures (e.g. changes to your terms of service, new tools, new policies, etc)?

Yes

If yes, list these implementation measures here

Microsoft Bing will provide its September 2025 Report in accordance with the revised Harmonised Reporting Template and underlying methodologies as jointly developed by Signatories in the Monitoring and Reporting Subgroup under the Code’s Task-force. 

Do you plan to put further implementation measures in place in the next 6 months to substantially improve the maturity of the implementation of this commitment?

Yes

If yes, which further implementation measures do you plan to put in place in the next 6 months?

Microsoft Bing will continue its active engagement in the respective Task-force Subgroups to update where necessary the Harmonised Reporting Template and underlying methodologies in view of its experience with reporting. 

Crisis and Elections Response

Elections 2025

[Note: Signatories are requested to provide information relevant to their particular response to the threats and challenges they observed on their service(s). They ensure that the information below provides an accurate and complete report of their relevant actions. As operational responses to crisis/election situations can vary from service to service, an absence of information should not be considered a priori a shortfall in the way a particular service has responded. Impact metrics are accurate to the best of signatories’ abilities to measure them].

Threats observed or anticipated

Bing Search anticipated instances of information manipulation with possible actor intent to manipulate search algorithms and lead users to data voids and low-authority content related to elections. As part of its regular information integrity operations, Bing detected information manipulation themes related to the German national election, which have been ingested to inform defensive search interventions. 

Mitigations in place

Bing Search takes a multifaceted approach to protecting election integrity and regularly updates its processes, policies, and practices to adapt to evolving risks, trends, and technological innovations. This approach includes: (1) defensive search interventions; (2) regular direction of users to high authority, high quality sources; (3) removal of auto suggest and related search terms considered likely to lead users to low authority content; (4) partnerships with independent organizations  for threat intelligence on information manipulation, civic integrity and nation state affiliated actors to  inform potential algorithmic interventions and contribute to broader research community; (5) special information panels and answers to direct users to high authority sources concerning elections and voting; (6) internal working groups dedicated to addressing company-wide election initiatives; (7) establishing special election-focused product feature teams; (8) conducting internal research on content provenance and elections; (9) evaluating and undertaking red-team testing for generative AI features with respect to elections; (10) ensuring Responsible AI reviews for all AI features; (11) undertaking comprehensive risk assessments related to elections and electoral processes; (12) developing and continuing to improve targeted monitoring both for web search and Bing generative AI features; (13) restricting generative AI responses for certain types of election-related content; (14) leveraging blocklists and classifiers in generative AI experiences to restrict generation of images or certain types of content concerning politicians and certain election-related topics (15) integrating information on political parties, candidates, and elections from local election authorities (including in the EU) or high authority third party sources to inform defensive interventions and election-related product mitigations; and (16) regularly evaluating whether additional measures, metrics, or mitigations should be implemented. These measures are integrated into Bing Search, Copilot Search, and Bing Image Creator and Bing Video Creator, along with the additional safeguards discussed throughout this report.

In addition, we offer AccountGuard which is Microsoft’s advanced security program designed to protect organizations involved in democratic processes and civil society. The program provides monitoring, threat detection, and rapid response services.. AccountGuard is available in 23 European Union countries - including Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden - and is also accessible to candidates for the EU Parliament from any member nation.

Policies and Terms and Conditions

Outline any changes to your policies

Policy - 50.1.1

Authoritative Information sources 

Changes (such as newly introduced policies, edits, adaptation in scope or implementation) - 50.1.2

Bing Search empowered voters with authoritative election information on Bing. We do this in partnership with organizations that provide information on authoritative sources, ensuring that queries about election administration will surface reputable sites 

Policy - 50.1.4

Authoritative Information sources 

Changes (such as newly introduced policies, edits, adaptation in scope or implementation) - 50.1.5

In advance of the German federal election, Bing launched a special “How to Vote” information. Answer to show high authority information related to the election for users, localized by language. Bing Search directed users to official source from the Federal Returning Officer on select information seeking queries related to this election. 

Rationale - 50.1.6

Policy - 50.1.7

Deepfakes and Elections 

Changes (such as newly introduced policies, edits, adaptation in scope or implementation) - 50.1.8

Microsoft-2024 Elections is a webpage created to empower political candidates and campaigns to report alleged deepfakes of themselves to Microsoft. To date, we have not received an actionable report of deceptive AI targeting elections on Microsoft platforms.

Microsoft’s Office of Responsible AI has also established policies concerning election-related content and works with teams, including Bing, Copilot Search, Tech for Society and Bing Image Creator and Bing Video Creator on implementation. 

Rationale - 50.1.9

Integrity of Services

Outline approaches pertinent to this chapter, highlighting similarities/commonalities and differences with regular enforcement.

Description of intervention - 50.4.2

In advance of the German national election, Bing launched a special “How to Vote” information Answer to show high authority information related to the election for users in Germany, localized by language. Bing Search directed users to official source from the Ministry of Interior on select information seeking queries related to this election.

Bing has identified information manipulation themes related to the German national election, which have informed defensive search interventions and fanouts to related search terms.

Indication of impact - 50.4.3

The “How to Vote” answer for the German national election was clicked 22.5k times globally, resulting in 151K impressions globally.

Empowering Users

Outline approaches pertinent to this chapter, highlighting similarities/commonalities and differences with regular enforcement.

Description of intervention - 50.5.2

Bing Search empowers voters with authoritative election information on Bing. We do this in partnership with organizations that provide information on authoritative sources, ensuring that queries about election administration will surface reputable sites. Additionally, Bing receives data from independent third party organizations, election authorities and other sources of trusted election information to ensure accurate election critical information is provided to voters. In addition, Bing works to provide user-facing information panels on election information for major European elections. 

Indication of impact - 50.5.3

The “How to Vote” answer for the German national election was clicked 22.5k times globally, resulting in 151K impressions globally.

Empowering the Research Community

Outline approaches pertinent to this chapter, highlighting similarities/commonalities and differences with regular enforcement.

Description of intervention - 50.6.2

Microsoft is undertaking additional research on how users interact with content provenance tools and the use of content provenance tools for AI and elections and other research concerning AI and elections.  

Indication of impact - 50.6.3

Such research helps to inform Bing safety mitigations. 

Crisis 2025

[Note: Signatories are requested to provide information relevant to their particular response to the threats and challenges they observed on their service(s). They ensure that the information below provides an accurate and complete report of their relevant actions. As operational responses to crisis/election situations can vary from service to service, an absence of information should not be considered a priori a shortfall in the way a particular service has responded. Impact metrics are accurate to the best of signatories’ abilities to measure them].

Threats observed or anticipated

War of aggression by Russia on Ukraine

Bing Search has observed instances of information manipulation with possible actor intent to manipulate search algorithms and lead users to data voids and low-authority content related to the Russia<>Ukraine conflict. Themes included narratives involving Ukrainian immigrants in different countries, specific countries’ support to Ukraine (often in the context of local elections), allegations surrounding Ukrainian politicians, military operations such as third parties' potential involvement in the war, etc.

Israel – Hamas conflict

Bing Search has observed instances of data void manipulation to show low-authority content to unsuspecting users related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This type of search algorithm manipulation could potentially be used as a tactic to spread disinformation. Other themes observed have included foreign influence operations speculating on the evolution of conflict and military operations in the area, often referring to manipulated videos and images circulating online and narratives on the broader Middle East conflicts. 

Mitigations in place

War of aggression by Russia on Ukraine

Microsoft has been actively involved in identifying and helping counter Russia’s cyber and influence operations aimed against Ukraine. In addition to supporting nonprofits, journalists, and academics within Ukraine, Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) team closely tracks cyber-enabled influence operations. MTAC’s work includes analysing the ways these methods are leveraged to target audiences in Central and Eastern Europe. 

Bing Search has implemented the following measures: (1) Defensive search interventions (2) regular direction of users to high authority, high quality sources as part of search algorithms; (3) remove auto suggest and related search terms considered likely to lead users to low authority content as part of moderation; (4) authority demotion of identified nation state affiliated information manipulation actor domains and (5) partnerships with independent organizations to maintain threat intelligence and inform potential algorithmic interventions. These measures are also integrated into Bing generative AI features , along with the additional safeguards discussed throughout this report. 

Israel – Hamas conflict

As part of its regular practices, Bing search employs (1) Defensive search interventions (2) regular direction of users to high authority, high quality sources as part of search algorithms; (3) remove auto suggest and related search terms considered likely to lead users to low authority content as part of moderation; (4) authority demotion of identified nation state affiliated information manipulation actor domains and (5) partnerships with independent organizations to maintain threat intelligence and inform potential algorithmic interventions. These measures are also integrated into Bing generative AI features, along with the additional safeguards discussed throughout this report.

Policies and Terms and Conditions

Outline any changes to your policies

Changes (such as newly introduced policies, edits, adaptation in scope or implementation) - 51.1.2

War of aggression by Russia on Ukraine
Bing has not implemented additional policies specific to this crisis since its last report.

Israel – Hamas conflict 
Bing Search has not introduced specific policies related to this crisis, as it considers existing measures discussed throughout this report to sufficiently mitigate risks related to this crisis. 

Rationale - 51.1.3

War of aggression by Russia on Ukraine

Prior to this reporting period, Bing had already established measures to address this crisis. Although Bing continues to refine its approach to addressing this crisis and continues to evolve mitigation measures, it has not introduced specific policy changes this reporting period.  

Integrity of Services

Outline approaches pertinent to this chapter, highlighting similarities/commonalities and differences with regular enforcement.

Description of intervention - 51.4.2

War of aggression by Russia on Ukraine

Bing Search has implemented the following measures: 

(1) Defensive search interventions (2) regular direction of users to high authority, high quality sources as part of search algorithms; (3) remove auto suggest and related search terms considered likely to lead users to low authority content as part of moderation; (4) authority demotion of identified nation state affiliated information manipulation actor domains and (5) partnerships with independent organizations to maintain threat intelligence and inform potential algorithmic interventions. These measures are also integrated into Bing generative AI features, along with the additional safeguards discussed throughout this report. 

Israel – Hamas conflict

Bing Search has not introduced specific practices or policies related to this crisis, as it considers existing measures discussed throughout this report to sufficiently mitigate risks. However, Bing continues to monitor this crisis and may evolve its approach as needed.

As part of its regular practices, Bing Search employs (1) Defensive search interventions (2) regular direction of users to high authority, high quality sources as part of search algorithms; (3) remove auto suggest and related search terms considered likely to lead users to low authority content as part of moderation; (4) authority demotion of identified nation state affiliated information manipulation actor domains and (5) partnerships with independent organizations to maintain threat intelligence and inform potential algorithmic interventions. These measures are also integrated into Bing generative AI features, along with the additional safeguards discussed throughout this report. 

Indication of impact - 51.4.3

War of aggression by Russia on Ukraine
More than 763,081 queries searched by users in the globally related to the Russia/Ukraine conflict have been treated with defensive search interventions, resulting in over 6,192,957 impressions. For member state level reporting, see SLI 22.7.1.
 
Israel – Hamas conflict
N/A

Empowering Users

Outline approaches pertinent to this chapter, highlighting similarities/commonalities and differences with regular enforcement.

Description of intervention - 51.5.2

War of aggression by Russia on Ukraine

Articles from news and fact checking organizations, may also appear as part of specialized Bing Answers. In addition, news and fact-check articles can appear in Bing News carousels, which are often presented at the top of search results pages, depending on the nature of user query. Microsoft maintains agreements with news publishers to surface high authority content, including articles from well-regarded fact checking organizations and journalist-driven fact-checks, high in relevant search results.  

In addition, Bing utilizes information, including fact checks, trustworthiness indicators, and narratives, to inform the Bing algorithm and defensive search measures that power Bing search and Bing generative AI features. Bing works with independent third-party organizations to provide early indicators of narratives, hashtags, or information operations that can be leveraged to inform early detection and defensive search strategies for Bing (including in EEA member states including German, Polish, Romanian, Portuguese languages, countries that had elections in the period).  Bing also utilizes the ClaimReview open protocol to ingest fact checks into search results.

Israel – Hamas conflict

Bing Search has not introduced specific practices or policies related to this crisis, as it considers existing measures discussed throughout this report to sufficiently mitigate risks. However, Bing continues to monitor this crisis and may evolve its approach as needed.

Nonetheless, articles from news and fact checking organizations may also appear as part of specialized Bing Answers. In addition, news and fact-check articles can appear in Bing News carousels, which are often presented at the top of search results pages, depending on the nature of user query. Microsoft maintains agreements with news publishers to surface high authority content, including articles from well-regarded fact checkers and research organizations covering EU/EEA, high in relevant search results.  

Bing partners with numerous organizations, including independent third-party organizations and teams across Microsoft, to provide information on potential information operations that can be leveraged to inform early detection and defensive search strategies for Bing search and Bing generative AI features. For example,

  • Bing partners with independent third-party organizations, such as trusted fact checkers, news publishers, and research organizations, that provide fact checks, trustworthiness indicators, and early indicators of information operations, such as narratives or hashtags, to inform early detection and defensive search strategies. These organizations provide information for EEA member states, including in German, Polish, Romanian, and Portuguese languages, countries that had elections in the period.  Bing also utilizes the ClaimReview open protocol to ingest fact checks into search results.
  • Bing partners with Microsoft’s internal threat detection and research teams, including Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), to collect and analyse data on actors of disinformation, misinformation and information manipulation across platforms. These teams collaborate with external organisations and companies to support Microsoft product and service teams effectively respond to issues and threats. Through MTAC and Microsoft’s Elections and Societal Resilience team, Microsoft also offers mediums for election authorities, including in the EEA Member States, to have lines of communication with Microsoft to identify possible foreign information operations targeting elections. 

Indication of impact - 51.5.3

War of aggression by Russia on Ukraine

See QRE 22.7.1 for further information. 

Israel – Hamas conflict

N/A

Empowering the Research Community

Outline approaches pertinent to this chapter, highlighting similarities/commonalities and differences with regular enforcement.

Description of intervention - 51.6.5

War of aggression by Russia on Ukraine

See QRE 26.1.1 for general research support. Bing Search has not made datasets available pertaining specifically to this crisis. 

Israel – Hamas conflict

See QRE 26.1.1 for general research support. Bing Search has not made datasets available pertaining specifically to this crisis. 

Indication of impact - 51.6.6

War of aggression by Russia on Ukraine
N/A

Israel – Hamas conflict
N/A