What does the Microsoft privacy battle mean for the future of internet security?
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Version 0 of 1. Microsoft will appear in court in New York on Wednesday in the latest dispute in a longstanding battle with the US government. The two sides are fighting over access to suspect digital documents stored on a server in Ireland. Why is Microsoft going to court? According to the federal authorities the documents involved are alleged to contain detail of narcotic sales. The US government want these documents as part of a 2013 search warrant within a drug-investigation. Microsoft argues: Its facility is based in Ireland and thus subject to Irish laws. The Federal authorities argue: Microsoft is a US company and should be subject to US laws. What does this mean for Microsoft and US tech companies? This is a key privacy case likely to shape the future of internet governance. The outcome of this case will define whether the US government is entitled to force US based tech companies based to hand over their customers’ emails even when they are stored on servers abroad. If Microsoft loses, tech companies could lose potential privacy-minded customers especially in foreign states, to take their business to other companies What does this mean for us? It could shape the future of internet privacy that citizens can enjoy across the world What is Microsoft saying? The tech giant says it is fighting for fundamental privacy rights and wants to cease this opportunity to update international sovereignty laws in a digital age. “In a nutshell, this case is about how we best protect privacy, ensure that governments keep people safe, and respect national sovereignty while preserving the global nature of the internet,” Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith wrote in a blog post when the company filed its arguments with the courts in April. The potential danger : For the US government : If Microsoft wins, it might restrain the government’s ability to investigate cases like this and, it argues, national security The government believes that in future, entrepreneurs could list their country as foreign country through a Microsoft (Google and Yahoo) accounts and evade the eyes of US authorities. Who supports Microsoft? On the media radar for already two years, the case has prompted support from major US tech companies such as Apple, Amazon, HP and eBay among others. 28 leading technology and media companies, 35 leading computer scientist and 23 trade association and advocacy organisation Are all voicing their support for Microsoft When will we know the court’s decision? The arguments are set to air on Wednesday, and the courts will reach a decision in the coming months |