Are Azure AI Translator's AI features covered by the BAA?

Text translation API: covered by the baa. Document translation: covered by the baa. Custom Translator (custom models): coverage not stated.

Is Azure AI Translator HIPAA compliant?

Q: Does Azure AI Translator sign a HIPAA BAA?

Yes, it signs a BAA. Microsoft says its Translator service is included in its HIPAA BAA. The BAA comes by default through Microsoft's Product Terms for Azure customers that are HIPAA covered entities or business associates. Text sent for translation is not stored.

Microsoft signs a Business Associate Agreement with its customers, which HIPAA requires before a vendor handles patient data for you. Once it's signed, you can use Azure AI Translator with patient data within the BAA's scope; whether your use is compliant still depends on your setup and your own policies. Microsoft doesn't say whether the BAA covers all of its AI features.

Does Azure AI Translator sign a BAA?

Yes, it signs a BAA

Microsoft says its Translator service is included in its HIPAA BAA. The BAA comes by default through Microsoft's Product Terms for Azure customers that are HIPAA covered entities or business associates. Text sent for translation is not stored.

Based on 4 sources, all from Microsoft unless marked.

Not confirmed for the AI features: Microsoft doesn’t say whether its BAA covers Custom Translator (custom models). Get that in writing before using it with patient data.

Business associate: Microsoft
Tool: Azure AI Translator
Plans with a BAA: Azure commercial customers
Checked: Oct 13, 2026

Signs a BAA

Microsoft signs a BAA with its customers; AI coverage isn't stated.

By plan

Plan	BAA	How to get it	Conditions
Azure commercial customers	Signs a BAA	Included in the terms	There is no separate contract to sign. The BAA is part of the Product Terms and DPA for customers that are covered entities or business associates, and it applies to in-scope services. Microsoft's Translator compliance page says Translator is included in the BAA. The free consumer Translator apps are a separate product (microsoft-translator-app).[1],[2],[3]

Are the AI features covered?

Vendors often sign a BAA for the core product but leave some AI features out. Here is what Microsoft says about each one.

AI feature	Under the BAA	Details
Text translation API	Covered	Translator is named as included in the BAA. Text is processed in real time and not stored.[3],[4]
Document translation	Covered	Part of the same Translator service that Microsoft names in the BAA. Documents are held temporarily during processing and then hard-deleted. The BAA statement is made at the service level and does not list features.[3],[4]
Custom Translator (custom models)	Not stated	Uploaded training documents are stored encrypted in the customer's workspace. The BAA statement names Translator as a whole, and no page says whether training documents containing PHI are in scope.[3]

Sources

HIPAA (US) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act - Azure complianceMicrosoft, Documentation. Checked Oct 13, 2026. Archived copy
HIPAA/HITECH - Microsoft complianceMicrosoft, Documentation. Checked Oct 13, 2026. Archived copy
No Trace - Microsoft Translator for BusinessMicrosoft, Documentation. Checked Oct 13, 2026. Archived copy
Data, privacy, and security for TranslatorMicrosoft, Documentation. Checked Oct 13, 2026. Archived copy

A signed BAA is necessary but not sufficient for HIPAA compliance, which also depends on configuration, access controls, and your own policies. Verdicts summarize the vendor's own published terms as of the date checked; confirm with the vendor and your counsel before sending protected health information. Not legal advice.