Microsoft reveals FBI spies on its clients

[Truthseeker420]

The world’s largest software company has revealed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) secretly spies on the private information of its customers.


Microsoft Corp. released a report on Thursday, saying that the FBI secretly spies on its customers with so-called National Security Letters (NSL), warrants and court orders.

“Like others in the industry, we believe it is important for the public to have access to information about law enforcement access to customer data, particularly as customers are increasingly using technology to communicate and store private information,” said Microsoft.

The FBI has collected client information from services including Hotmail/Outlook.com, SkyDrive, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Account, Messenger and Office 365, the Washington-based company said.

NSLs allowed the FBI to collect data such as subscriber information, phone numbers and e-mail addresses, websites visited and more - as the FBI deems “relevant” to an investigation.

This comes as Google Inc. announced on March 5, 2013 that the FBI spies on and monitors the private information of its clients, having already requested data from over 14,790 accounts in just the second half of 2012.

The revelations by the two tech giants mark the first time US companies have revealed that they submit client information to the FBI using NSLs.

Meanwhile, a federal judge declared earlier this month that NSLs are unconstitutional due to the harsh gag rules associated with them, giving US President Barack Obama’s administration 90 days to appeal the ruling.

Entities that receive NSLs are barred from disclosing precise numbers to the public or to targets. However, Microsoft and Google publicized a vague numerical range “to address concerns raised by the FBI, Justice Department and other agencies that releasing exact numbers might reveal information about investigations.”

Any FBI field office is allowed to issue an NSL, which has been used much more widely since 9/11 and requires far less oversight than a search warrant or subpoena.

In July 2012, National Security Agency whistleblower William Binney said that Washington was secretly gathering information “about virtually every US citizen in the country” in a “very dangerous process” that violates the privacy of Americans.

PressTV - Microsoft reveals FBI spies on its clients

 

[aaronleland]

I should be outraged. Sadly, I'm not surprised.

 

[Truthseeker420]

I should be outraged. Sadly, I'm not surprised.

The average person will not be affected directly by this breach of privacy. The people that have to worry is a business that might cut into the profits monopolies that control America or anyone that threatens control of the 1%.

 

[g5000]

Yup. The Patriot Act was not just about terrorism, folks. It is a huge domestic law enforcement tool, too.

The law enforcement community had a gigantic wish list of extra powers they wanted, and 9/11 provided the perfect opportunity to acquire those powers. The Patriot Act is the end result.

A massive government expansion and instrusion into our private lives.

All in the name of "safety" and "security".

You can leave your car doors unlocked in a totalitarian society.

 

[Darkwind]

I should be outraged. Sadly, I'm not surprised.

The average person will not be affected directly by this breach of privacy. The people that have to worry is a business that might cut into the profits monopolies that control America or anyone that threatens control of the 1%.

Were you aware that most states have laws that forbid drivers from placing anything on the dash of their vehicles, or that it is unlawful to hang anything from the rear view mirror?

Often never enforced and of no consequence to everyday motorists. Unless, of course, you deny a LEO a polite request to search your vehicle. Then you will be cited and that citation used as probably cause to illicitly search your vehicle anyway.

Were you aware that the average American will have breached one or more regulations before they have brushed their teeth every day? Regulations that will never be enforced, unless of course, you refuse some intrusion into your privacy.

There is not an item in your home, car or place of work that is not somehow regulated by your watchdog government.

Rarely enforced, so the everyday person won't have to worry about it.

Something to think on when you make these kinds of statements.

 

[FA_Q2]

Yup. The Patriot Act was not just about terrorism, folks. It is a huge domestic law enforcement tool, too.

The law enforcement community had a gigantic wish list of extra powers they wanted, and 9/11 provided the perfect opportunity to acquire those powers. The Patriot Act is the end result.

A massive government expansion and instrusion into our private lives.

All in the name of "safety" and "security".

You can leave your car doors unlocked in a totalitarian society.

^ the sad and deplorable truth.

The left SCREAMED when the right enacted this atrocious law. When the chance opened up to repeal this piece of shit, they strengthened it. Proof solid that both parties are little more than shadows of each other in the great pursuit of more and more government power over the ‘little people.’

 

[FA_Q2]

I should be outraged. Sadly, I'm not surprised.

The average person will not be affected directly by this breach of privacy. The people that have to worry is a business that might cut into the profits monopolies that control America or anyone that threatens control of the 1%.

Were you aware that most states have laws that forbid drivers from placing anything on the dash of their vehicles, or that it is unlawful to hang anything from the rear view mirror?

Often never enforced and of no consequence to everyday motorists. Unless, of course, you deny a LEO a polite request to search your vehicle. Then you will be cited and that citation used as probably cause to illicitly search your vehicle anyway.

Were you aware that the average American will have breached one or more regulations before they have brushed their teeth every day? Regulations that will never be enforced, unless of course, you refuse some intrusion into your privacy.

There is not an item in your home, car or place of work that is not somehow regulated by your watchdog government.

Rarely enforced, so the everyday person won't have to worry about it.

Something to think on when you make these kinds of statements.

“The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible to live without breaking laws.”
- Ill leave you to guess where this was said but I bet many know it but the left will refuse to acknowledge this BASIC truth about government.

This is EXACTLY where we are. The government needs to control things and the only way to do that is ensure that everything is illegal and the ones that do what the government wants will simply be ignored.