I want this to be from a credible source and not youtube.

Here are the links as used in the video:

Microsoft Services Agreement
Microsoft Privacy Statement

Nothing is stated regarding Outlook and traffic via MS servers

Right, there are many things that can be interpreted into this text. From my point of view, it needs more than this.

Hey Guys, 

One interesting experiment that you can do is connect Outlook Mobile to SmarterMail via EAS. Then if you go to Settings->Connectivity you will see a Microsoft IP address in the authenticated IP addresses section. 

Kind Regards, 

I cant add nothing but IMAP using the Outlook app.

Either IMAP or a google account.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.outlook&hl=da&gl=US

Managed to get around it. You are correct. Have reported it to the danish Data Protection Authority

Hey Brian, 

Outlook Mobile is weird. You gotta click IMAP. Then click the ? at the top of the screen. After this click Change account provider. Then click exchange. After that, it will let you use EAS. 

I hope this helps. 

Thanks, 

Hi Zach. Very weird *LOL*

Thanks buddy!

The most informative thing I can find about data going through Microsoft's servers is the notice that appears when setting up an account in the new Outlook for Windows app, which says:

The link they provide (click on "Learn more") takes you to a page which indicates it applies to Outlook mobile (iOS and Android), new Outlook for Mac and New Outlook for Windows.

I'm suggesting to all my customers to NOT use Outlook app for mobile since years due to its not wanted connections. 

I've just started trying Outlook due to Apple Mail not working with any of my SM accounts (don't ask).

They've all setup fine but you can't setup any rules and none of the contacts appear in the app, neither can you save contacts from the emails that you are sent (it's just greyed out).

I'm assuming this is because it's not going through MS and because I'm syncing using SM IMAP?

YS Tech,

Yes, the limitations you described are likely due to syncing with IMAP. If you are using the current version of Outlook for Mac - not the New Outlook for Mac - you shouldn't need to worry about your data going through Microsoft's servers, regardless of the protocol you use. With the current version of Outlook, I recommend using EWS if you can to enable the most capabilities within Outlook.

I am currently using Outlook for Mac V16.78.2.

I assume that's the "New Outlook for Mac"?

If I revert (can I do this?) by unticking "New Outlook", will things work better?

Thanks

From what I can determine, the version numbers for the old and new versions of Outlook for Mac are the same. It seems that New Outlook for Mac is enabled based on a settings. However, if you see the "New Outlook" toggle and it is enabled, then you are using the New Outlook for Mac. Disabling that will revert you back to the current version of Outlook. However, it will not automatically change any already configured accounts. To access the additional features available through EWS, you will need to reconfigure the account after turning off New Outlook. Once you have done that, you should have a much better experience.