Microsoft Says It Never Meant To Knock Cryptome Offline 176
CWmike writes "Microsoft withdrew on Thursday its demand that Cryptome.org yank the 'Microsoft Global Criminal Spy Guide' document from the site, and said it had never intended for the whistleblower's domain to be knocked off the Web. 'In this case, we did not ask that this site be taken down, only that Microsoft copyrighted content be removed,' said a Microsoft spokeswoman. 'We are requesting to have the site restored and are no longer seeking the document's removal.' The document, a 17-page guide to law enforcement on how to obtain information about users of Microsoft's online services, including its Windows Live Hotmail, the Xbox Live gaming network and its Windows Live SkyDrive storage service, was published by John Young, who runs Cryptome.org, on Feb. 20. Earlier this week, Microsoft demanded that Young remove the document from his site, citing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. When Young refused, his Internet provider shut down the site, and Network Solutions, the registrar of Young's domain, put a 'legal lock' on the domain name. The last prevented him from transferring the URL to another ISP. Computerworld blogger Preston Gralla dug into the document today in his 'Leaked Microsoft intelligence document: Here's what Microsoft will reveal to police about you' post."
Hell is getting cold` (Score:5, Funny)
Okay wtf is going on lately. MS actually admitting mistakes left and right, trying to play nice. Did I miss the memo?
Re:Hell is getting cold` (Score:4, Funny)
It's because of global warming. Really.
Re:Hell is getting cold` (Score:2, Funny)
Well, I'll try to explain it. Microsoft creates some feel-good document which makes it look like they aren't collecting personal information in terrifying quantities. This document somehow "leaks." Microsoft files a DMCA takedown. NetSol overreacts. Microsoft steps in and says "We didn't mean for THAT to happen, and by the way, you can keep the document."
End result? Microsoft makes another company look like an ass, makes itself look reasonable, and gets a document out there that paints a rosy picture of personal privacy. For all we know, the document is a fiction.
Re:Hell is getting cold` (Score:4, Funny)
That would be sweet.
Now more likely you just have a really active imagination. Your conspiracy theory is lacking a couple of key motivators. You forgot the part where the NSA was secretly wiretapping the internet connections of a bunch of "internet activists" (be sure to throw in some corresponding, FBI supported real world physical surveillance). Their unConstitutional surveillance measures revealed the danger of the extent of their "real" (in your story) activities were about to be revealed. They made a phone call, and in a back room some guy flipped the magic influence coin. This time it came up heads, Microsoft instead of tails, Google (both are owned by the NSA you know). They sent Jack Bauer out to gather up the appropriate Microsoft personnel and "do whatever it takes" (because that's what Jack Bauer does) to make sure that they first leak, then retract the doctored version of the document regarding their evil menu of law enforcement options.
Re:Oh COOL: Tracking stolen xboxen... (Score:5, Funny)
my Wii stolen (I had no xbox at the time)
So... you eventually got a sex change and replaced your wii with a box?
Re:Hell is getting cold` (Score:3, Funny)
Yes.
But it's acceptable, since the memo was copyrighted.
Re:Yep.... (Score:2, Funny)
And in other news, the tooth fairy gave me a blowjob last night....
And in other news, the tooth fairy gave me a gummer last night.... There I fixed that for you.