Microsoft swift to respond to FBI email requests related to the Charlie Hebdo attacks

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Published onJanuary 20, 2015

published onJanuary 20, 2015

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Following the Charlie Hebdo attacks, the French government has launched an investigation to find all of the suspects involved. Two suspects supposedly sent emails related to the attacks from their Microsoft Outlook accounts and the government has requested that the FBI have Microsoft hand them over, to which the company has obliged.

Microsoft lawyer Brad Smith noted in a recent speech that the request was legal and that it took the software giant less than hour to deliver the emails in questions. Smith said that this proves that private companies can work with governments to work towards apprehending criminals but stressed that open government access to consumer information, i.e. snooping, should only happen under strict regulations.

He suggested that if governments want to take full access to consumer information and out of the hands of private companies then those changes should be put into law first.

“If those in government want to shift the line between safety and privacy, the appropriate path is to do so by changing the law rather than asking those of us in the private sector to shift this balance ourselves… Democratic societies, not private companies, need to decide on the balances to be struck between public values such as public safety and personal privacy.” – Brad Smith, Microsoft lawyer

Earlier this month, British Prime Minister David Cameron caused outrage after proclaiming that should he be re-elected, he would work to ban all encrypted mobile communication services like WhatsApp, unless the companies behind those apps build backdoors which the government could use to snoop on customer conversations, more on thathere.

Microsoft’s swift response here is evidence that constant government surveillance and breach of customer privacy is not necessary, provided they follow the correct means to obtain information they are looking for.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Microsoft swift to respond to FBI email requests related to the Charlie Hebdo attacks#