Patriot Act vs. the EU's Data Protection Directive 239
itwbennett writes "Last week, Microsoft warned that under the Patriot Act the company may be compelled to hand over European customers' data on its new cloud service to U.S. authorities — and also to keep the data transfer secret. This, of course, runs counter to the European Data Protection Directive, which states that organizations must inform users when they disclose personal information. 'Microsoft can already transfer E.U. data to the U.S. under the Safe Harbor agreement. But legal experts have warned that this agreement is hardly worth the paper it's written on,' writes IDG News Service's Jennifer Baker. 'There are seven principles of Safe Harbor, including reasonable data security, and clearly defined and effective enforcement. However all this is nullified if the Patriot Act is invoked.'"
Honestly - why do business in the U.S. (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm someone interested in releasing my software.
I've worked on this software for about 1 year my time, and done things I think are "research" in their newness.
Releasing any software in the U.S. is basically opening me up to a multitude of unfounded lawsuits and I become a target for corporate espionage - why do I bother.
As a euro developer - I must confess that the U.S. is looking less and less interesting as a revenue source.
All the "steal people's data" and the "we control domains" - why on earth would I think about building a business in this piranha pool?
Ok lets ask an easier question.... (Score:3, Interesting)
The summary is wrong. (Score:5, Interesting)
There are specific exceptions for 'National Security' in both the European directive and each country's implementation (eg the Data Protection Act in the UK).
So all the US needs to do is find a shill (the UK government would be my guess at their first choice) who will declare that they need to export 'this' data as a matter of 'National Security' (honest!) and Microsoft and in the clear and the US get what they want.
Re:Down with the patriot act! (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Of course you realize, (Score:4, Interesting)
News at 11 (Score:4, Interesting)
The USA is screwing the only friends they have left over (again)...
So whats the news again?