In a recent development, Microsoft has responded to the reports that the NSA has been and continues to monitor Xbox Live chat conversations between gamers. They have officially sided with the likes of Twitter, Facebook, Yahoo, and Google in signing a petition that goes by the name of ‘Global Government Surveillance Reform’.
Microsoft signing this document seems to imply that they had been unaware of the governments taps on their live chat network, and would have spoken out sooner had they known. Or it could just be good PR to sign the petition now. There’s no telling, really.
The proposed reform petition suggests a plan which aims to limit the government’s ability to monitor these types accountability, and provide a level of accountability on the levels they are permitted to monitor.
Microsoft’s legal boss Brad Smith commented on this matter. “People won’t use technology they don’t trust. Governments have put this trust at risk, and governments need to help restore it,” he said.
“We’re not aware of any surveillance activity. If it has occurred as reported, it certainly wasn’t done with our consent,” another Microsoft spokesperson said.
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Source: Eurogamer