Microsoft and Google to sue over US surveillance requests.

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Guardian

Microsoft and Google are to sue the US government to win the right to reveal more information about official requests for user data. The companies announced the lawsuit on Friday, escalating a legal battle over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa), the mechanism used by the National Security Agency (NSA) and other US government agencies to gather data about foreign internet users.

Microsoft's general counsel, Brad Smith, made the announcement in a corporate blog post which complained of the government's "continued unwillingness" to let it publish information about Fisa requests.

Each company filed a suit in June arguing that they should be allowed to state the details under the first amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech, and in the process defend corporate reputations battered by Edward Snowden's revelations. Critics accused the companies of collaborating in the snooping.

"On six occasions in recent weeks we agreed with the department of justice to extend the government's deadline to reply to these lawsuits. We hoped that these discussions would lead to an agreement acceptable to all," Smith wrote.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/law/2013/aug/31/microsoft-google-sue-us-fisa

[cantbeserious]

1. Protecting Corporate Profits Battered By The Collusion Exposed By Snowden

eom

[Th1onein]

6. You got that right! Why didn't they sue before? Why wait until now?

Because NOW it's hurting their bottom line, and folks, that's ALL they care about. They don't give a shit about your privacy or mine. Until Snowden exposed their sorry asses for spying on us, they would have gone merrily along, accepting their paychecks from the US government, for spying on their fucking customers, and not done a thing about it.

[happynewyear]

2. question dipsydoodle

Do you know if hotmail is still available in the UK and the EU? Please advise.

Thanks!

[dipsydoodle]

3. Yes indeed.

My daughter uses it here. I'm sure she'd tell me if it went walkies.

[happynewyear]

4. Thanks!

I appreciate your answer very much.

[jsr]

5. It's Kabuki theater

[marble falls]

7. They're either a little late or doing it half heartedly to justify their shrugging shoulder attitude

so far towards the government. Why aren't we in the streets?

[bobGandolf]

8. Strictly PR move

IMO

[JDPriestly]

9. Thanks for posting this. There isn's much news about the surveillance, but it is a top issue for

me. I do not think that the government should collect all that metadata in this day and age.

[Politicalboi]

10. Didn't I see something here the other day about

Windows 8 giving the NSA a back door. Fuck you Bill Gates.

[gordianot]

12. That back door has been there for a long time including other operating systems.

I figure this is the main reason there was a freak out over Snowden. Just think a majority of the worlds computers compromised so some NSA bureaucrat can read email. This really makes cyber security a joke.

[kelliekat44]

11. Fine! hand back those tax breaks you get while you are at it. nt