Tech Giants Support Microsoft In Data Fight With U.S.
A group of companies including Apple, Amazon.com , AT&T are supporting Microsoft in a litigation concerning the U.S. government's attempt to use a search warrant to compel Microsoft to obtain and turn over email of a customer stored in Ireland.
The groups filed their "friend of the court" briefs in New York today. The briefs are signed by 28 technology and media companies, 35 computer scientists, and 23 trade associations and advocacy organizations that together represent millions of members on both sides of the Atlantic.
A U.S. judge ruled in late July that Microsoft must turn over a customer's emails stored in a data center in Ireland to U.S. federal prosecutors under a criminal search warrant. It is unclear what type of investigation led to the warrant.
Microsoft is appealing that ruling, saying U.S. authorities cannot automatically compel U.S. companies to hand over customer information stored overseas. The judge has temporarily suspended her order from taking effect while Microsoft appeals.
"Tech companies such as Microsoft for good reason store private communications such as email, photos, and documents in datacenters that are located close to our customers. This is so consumers and companies can retrieve their personal information more quickly and securely," said Microsoft head lawyer Brad Smith in a blog post on Monday.
"We believe that when one government wants to obtain email that is stored in another country, it needs to do so in a manner that respects existing domestic and international laws. In contrast, the U.S. Government's unilateral use of a search warrant to reach email in another country puts both fundamental privacy rights and cordial international relations at risk. And as today's briefs demonstrate, the impacts of this step are far-reaching," Smith added.
A U.S. judge ruled in late July that Microsoft must turn over a customer's emails stored in a data center in Ireland to U.S. federal prosecutors under a criminal search warrant. It is unclear what type of investigation led to the warrant.
Microsoft is appealing that ruling, saying U.S. authorities cannot automatically compel U.S. companies to hand over customer information stored overseas. The judge has temporarily suspended her order from taking effect while Microsoft appeals.
"Tech companies such as Microsoft for good reason store private communications such as email, photos, and documents in datacenters that are located close to our customers. This is so consumers and companies can retrieve their personal information more quickly and securely," said Microsoft head lawyer Brad Smith in a blog post on Monday.
"We believe that when one government wants to obtain email that is stored in another country, it needs to do so in a manner that respects existing domestic and international laws. In contrast, the U.S. Government's unilateral use of a search warrant to reach email in another country puts both fundamental privacy rights and cordial international relations at risk. And as today's briefs demonstrate, the impacts of this step are far-reaching," Smith added.
