Microsoft and Google are rivals that rarely enter partnerships with each other, but the NSA has changed that. The companies have joined together to sue the NSA over FISA court transparency issues. Both companies feel the Federal Government is mandated by the Constitution to be more transparent about their requests for user data.
Microsoft’s Vice President of Legal Affairs, Brad Smith, has posted a blog entry explaining that both companies are uncomfortable with the Government's secret actions.
The companies have been in negotiations with the Government over these issues, but the talks have failed. Hopefully, the lawsuit will force the Government to start acting legally, and stop the practice of massive data mining of US citizens.
Microsoft’s Vice President of Legal Affairs, Brad Smith, has posted a blog entry explaining that both companies are uncomfortable with the Government's secret actions.
For example, we believe it is vital to publish information that clearly shows the number of national security demands for user content, such as the text of an email. These figures should be published in a form that is distinct from the number of demands that capture only metadata such as the subscriber information associated with a particular email address. We believe it’s possible to publish these figures in a manner that avoids putting security at risk. And unless this type of information is made public, any discussion of government practices and service provider obligations will remain incomplete.
The companies have been in negotiations with the Government over these issues, but the talks have failed. Hopefully, the lawsuit will force the Government to start acting legally, and stop the practice of massive data mining of US citizens.