Microsoft has updated its privacy policy to emphasize that unlike rival Google, it does not use email content to target ads to users.

The tech giant, which received heavy criticism in March for rummaging through a customer's email, is working to rebuild trust and be more transparent with users, Engadget reported.

"We are now explicitly stating what we've said in past, that we don't use people's documents, photos or other personal files or what they say in email, chat, video calls or voice mail to target advertising to them," Ryan Gavin, general manager of search, cloud and content at Microsoft, wrote in a company blog post.

The service agreement and privacy policy update will kick in on July 31, Engadget reported.

Users should keep in mind that Microsoft is still collecting data from emails and files even though the information isn't being directly used for marketing purposes.

"It's a muddy area, but Microsoft says it does so in order to gain an insight into how you use its services," Engadget noted.

Microsoft recently faced criticism from media and privacy advocates after an incident involving former Microsoft employee Alex Kibkalo, who was arrested in March for allegedly stealing and leaking Windows code, NBC News reported at the time.

Kibkalo was suspected of sending the information to an unnamed blogger, and Microsoft allegedly rifled through the blogger's Hotmail account to see if the code had been leaked.

Microsoft defended its decision to go through the email account, but the company later said that any suspicious activity in the future would be turned over to the authorities.

The new privacy policy is available online so users can read through it before it goes into effect at the end of July.

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