Microsoft and Google Challenge US Government Gag Orders 115
First time accepted submitter ace37 writes "Microsoft says it plans to move ahead with a lawsuit filed against the U.S. government in June to affirm the right of businesses to disclose limited information about government demands for data made under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). In separate legal filings, Microsoft and Google challenged the gag order that typically accompanies FISA demands for customer data. The two companies asserted that they have a First Amendment right to publish the total number of FISA requests received and the total number of user accounts covered by such requests."
To think Microsoft once ... (Score:4, Interesting)
requested the ability to treat Windows security bug reporters as being in league with terrorists by invoking the Patriot Act.
My head is spinning.
Too little, too late... (Score:5, Interesting)
Gee, thanx Microsoft and Google, for doing something..
Where were the Champions of Justice when these requests first started coming to you?
I see. It's different now that you've been exposed to the public as cooperating in all this.
Re:Good for the goose... (Score:4, Interesting)
That sounds like a good way to end up on Double Secret Probation.
Re:Here's hoping... (Score:1, Interesting)
"This type of lawsuit can help regain some of the liberties the government has taken away FROM CORPORATIONS, or at least some of the transparency".
FTFY
Re:Thank you Edward Snowden (Score:5, Interesting)
No. Think about it for a moment.
The NSA was within a hair's breadth of creating the most impressive cloud based uber-backup / social networking / information-wants-to-be-everywhere system ever devised. Had they had the sense to market it instead of hide it, people would have been all over themselves to sign up.
Google and Microsoft have belatedly figured out that they're competing with the US Government. They didn't like that at all.
Re:To think Microsoft once ... (Score:4, Interesting)
requested the ability to treat Windows security bug reporters as being in league with terrorists by invoking the Patriot Act.
Citation?
Re:Here's hoping... (Score:2, Interesting)
I hope you're right in hoping for that. However, I feel that it'll be a catalyst for a nail in the coffin for this sort of "bitch". I mean to say that once there's a ruling in favor of the government's gag orders, there can be no more bitching.
Another point to reflect on, is that they're "bitching" about posting numbers. Who the fuck cares about the numbers? If the government wants to see *my* data, then it'd be real fucking nice if *I* was told about it. So if my google account was needing to be "searched", I feel that google should give them the data, but then tell me, "Hey man, the government has been given your data. That'd end anyone's "bitch". But maybe google/MS would fear that the people would then want to know "what data". For instance, I'm really wondering what sort of data MS has on me, as I don't use any of their products.
Re:Here's hoping... (Score:5, Interesting)
"This type of lawsuit can help regain some of the liberties the government has taken away FROM CORPORATIONS, or at least some of the transparency".
FTFY
Well, when you are served with a FISA order, we will worry about your liberties.
In the mean time I'm pretty happy to have them pushing back, and I wish ALL the big companies would follow.
There is no doubt they are seeing this as harmful to their business, because users feel betrayed.
They need to push for revealing MORE information. For instance, EVERY USER, who's account was
subject to such an order should be notified (after a suitable passage of time, 6 months seems right for most cases).
The government would have to offer up this fact in Discovery if someone was subsequently charged, why should an innocent person deserve less?
Re:Let's see the others (Score:4, Interesting)
As long as you're not a whistleblower, its fine here!
Or object to 'national security' bullshit.
Or don't want to get groped at the airport.
Or want to legitimately protest what's going on.
Or....
Or...
Or..
Or.
Or
o
Alternative solution (Score:4, Interesting)
When Defense Become Offense (Score:0, Interesting)
Google, Microsoft and the plethora of others including ATT, Verizon (and all telcos in the USA in particular), Amazon, Apple, Wall-Mart, Sears, Pennys, Staples, OfficeMax (and all other online e-talors), Yahoo, AOL ... the list just keep going on an on and on.
Lets get real simple.
NSA pays each of the above for access to transmissions! Ah Ha. Transmissions. A transaction by "electronic communications". Meta-Data, time-of-flight data, and the actual voice or keystrokes data.
So, all the above are given money, USA taxpayer money, from the NSA, with the USA Department of Treasury blessing, for this 'data'.
This means that NSA (as well as others) IS a Federal Government Agency subsidizing these corporate Companies and at every growing rates and with TAX DOLLARS from the legal citizens of the U.S.A.!
What Tangible or Intangible product is being delivered to the legal citizens of the U.S.A. for the theft of their personal information and identity.
NOTHING!
NSA+CIA+NGA+DIA (Treasury and FBI and DEA and ATF) and not to forget our most beloved "intelligence agency" the Department of HomeLand Security" and its 'National Gropers Agency' the Transportation Security Agency the 'Pistol' lap dog of Janet "Ass As Big As A Planet" Napolitano who is orbiting many universities of the U.S.A. and is desperately seeking a safe landing but not getting any love, pity pity, will not be TIMES MAN OF THE YEAR, hardy har har, this year. Good riddance Janet Planet and all of your ilk in the Federal G'ub'erment Obama Reich.
Napalm, the smell of napalm.
Do you smell the smell of napalm Janet ... Do you? Its coming for you.
Kissy kissy.
Eggs and backy.
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