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How Can Policymakers Promote Innovation and Strengthen Privacy?
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Posted by Peter Cullen
Chief Privacy Strategist 
On January 28th, in conjunction with Data Privacy Day, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) convened its second “Exploring Privacy” Roundtable in Berkeley, California. The roundtable brought together some of the preeminent privacy thinkers from academia, industry, civil society and government to discuss complex and nuanced issues around technology policy, mobile computing, social networking and cloud computing.
One of the main topics of the day was the intersection of technology and policy. Specifically, given the importance of today’s technology-enabled, information-based services, what type of policy would help strengthen privacy protections, while at the same time allowing innovation to flourish? The dialogue reinforced that technology will almost always outpace policy, so we need to be careful as we think through what policy and or regulatory approaches might be required while ensuring we do not deny new and innovative products to the public. Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith laid out some of Microsoft’s views on this important topic in a recent speech on cloud computing at the Brookings Institution.
Fundamentally, regulating privacy or the use of information is about defining and assessing specific risks and harms, and mitigating those risks and harms through a balance of law, policy, standards education and encouraging market innovation. Indeed, accountability and the “use and obligations model” - discussed extensively at the FTC hearing in December – are increasingly used as examples of a privacy framework that better matches today’s information flows while ensuring the requirements and obligations of data protection are appropriate, and ensures risks can be assessed and mitigated on an ongoing and dynamic basis.
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Microsoft Celebrates Data Privacy Day
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Posted by David Bowermaster
Administrator, Microsoft on the Issues
Protecting privacy online and securing personal data are major priorities for Microsoft. So, to commemorate Data Privacy Day in the U.S. (and Data Protection Day in Europe), the company has been sharing its latest thinking on privacy policies and technologies in a variety of forums.
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Microsoft Reports Results for Second Quarter FY10
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Posted by David Bowermaster
Administrator, Microsoft on the Issues
Microsoft this afternoon reported results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2010, which ended December 31, 2009. The company recorded revenue of $19.02 billion, operating income of $8.51 billion and net income of $6.66 billion in the period.
A copy of the earnings release is now available. Chief Financial Officer Peter Klein will discuss the results on a conference call with investment analysts at 2:30 p.m. PT, which will be Webcast on our Investor Relations page.
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Realizing the “Buy Once, Play Anywhere” Vision for Digital Media
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Posted by Paul Mitchell
General Manager of Policy & Standards, Entertainment & Devices Division
Paul Mitchell
The recent International Consumer Electronics Show was a showcase for how the media industry today is being completely transformed by new digital production technology and hybrid distribution models. Consumers now have many new ways to access video using the Internet – from Hulu and Fancast Xfinity on PCs, to Netflix Watch Instantly through Blu-Ray players, digital TVs, Xbox and other game consoles.
But all these new options are not trouble free. While any DVD will play back on any DVD player, each of the new digital delivery systems has tended to use its own special format, which means that a file prepared for one system doesn’t work with another. This has created confusion in the marketplace and raised the cost and complexity of digital distribution.
The ease with which digital files can be copied belies the complexity involved in creating a robust portable media format that supports everything from high definition to video more appropriate for a mobile device. The format must work with closed captions and other accessibility aids, and with multiple language audio and commentary tracks. The format must work for a variety of business models such as retail sale, rental, video on demand, and subscription. It must support an ever-expanding list of target devices, from Internet-enabled TVs to Smartphones and Wi-Fi enabled tablets.
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Microsoft & Internet Freedom
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Posted by Steve Ballmer
Chief Executive Officer
(Cross-posted from The Microsoft Blog)
Over the last few weeks, there has been much said about issues of security, privacy, and censorship as it relates to the Internet in China and around the world. I want to reinforce the comments made by Craig Mundie last week, in response to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s important speech on Internet freedom.
Microsoft is committed to protecting and advancing free expression throughout the world, even as we work to comply with local laws in the 100+ countries in which we operate. In many countries throughout the world, Internet and technology companies must comply with laws that impact privacy and freedom of expression, particularly peaceful political expression.
In January 2006, Brad Smith announced on behalf of Microsoft a formal set of principles on how our company would address freedom of expression on the Internet, in a speech to European government leaders in Lisbon, Portugal. Over the past four years, we have consistently adhered to these principles promoting freedom of expression. Microsoft's executive leadership and Board of Directors have consistently supported these principles and remain fully committed to them today.
Similarly, we are proud to be co-founders of the Global Network Initiative, an organization dedicated to advancing Internet freedom, along with other leaders from industry, human rights organizations, academics, and socially responsible investors. We hope that other technology companies will join this effort. While individual GNI member companies may make different business decisions, we are united in our commitment to these principles and are working together to support and grow the important work of the GNI.
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Public Safety on the Agenda
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Posted by Tim Bloechl
Managing Director, Worldwide Public Safety and National Security
Tim Bloechl
Fighting terrorism. Combating crime. Responding to natural disasters. These are the all-important scenarios being explored this week at the Microsoft Worldwide Public Safety Symposium. Some of the world’s top minds in the fields of public safety, criminal justice and national security are gathered on the Microsoft campus in Redmond to consider how information technology and the power of software can help them meet the urgent challenges they face.
These days, public safety professionals need to know more; they need information faster; and they need the ability to share information and achieve greater situational awareness across jurisdictions -- local, regional, national and even international. At the symposium, these professionals are working together with industry partners to consider how technology can help create practical solutions to make communities safer and improve national and international security.
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Infusing “service-learning” and technology in the classroom
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Posted by Anthony Salcito
Vice President, Worldwide Education
As educators, government officials and business leaders look for collaborative ways to reform U.S. education, we believe “service-learning” and technology can play central roles in the success of our young people.
I’ve blogged before about the benefits of connecting kids to volunteerism (see posts here and here). Right now, only 32 percent of elementary and secondary schools offer service-learning opportunities, which incorporate community service into education to teach the value of civic responsibility. But we know the benefits are widespread. Likewise, the demonstrated effects of career and technical education (CTE) have included higher scores in math and science and lower dropout rates. So, we think service and technology could be the perfect marriage.
We also know that in addition to technology support, teachers need help enriching their curriculum with interactive and comprehensive classroom experiences that keep students engaged. And we know kids have embraced the role of technology in their lives -- often they know more than their teachers about computers and mobile devices! -- and are excited about the opportunity to give back. So, in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, today we are excited to announce the Service & Technology Academic Resource Team (START).
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Steve Ballmer Helps Bring Elevate America to Georgia
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Posted by Andrea L. Taylor
Director, North America Community Affairs
Earlier today Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer joined Governor Sonny Perdue to launch Elevate America in Georgia, making it the 10th state to join the program.
Microsoft created Elevate America a year ago to help equip people with the technology skills needed to succeed in the 21st century workplace. Working in partnership with state governments, Elevate America provides vouchers for free technology training and certification. Today, over 50 percent of jobs require technology skills, with estimates showing that number reaching 75 percent in the next decade.
With unemployment still high in most of the country – including 10.3 percent in Georgia -- programs like Elevate America help displaced workers find jobs, and help those currently employed keep pace with the changing demands of their positions.
Working with states across the U.S., Elevate America can reach a broad number of people in urban and rural areas, regardless of their education level, income or employment status – ensuring that anyone who wants and needs access to these resources can get it.
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Communication Critical to Relief in Haiti
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Posted by Dr. William A. Brindley
Chief Executive Officer, NetHope
Dr. William A. Brindley
Over the past ten days, the world’s response to the devastation in Haiti has been truly inspiring. The question of “Can we respond?” has been answered with continued outpouring of support. Doubt has been replaced with mobilized action.
The lifeblood of this response is communication. Phone and Internet connectivity are essential to effectively coordinate the delivery of aid and ensure that food, water, shelter, medical care and other essentials are directed appropriately. But the already frail technology infrastructure in Port-au-Prince was rendered all but useless by the earthquake, making it nearly impossible to communicate within the region or coordinate with the outside world.
The mission of NetHope is to help ensure that international humanitarian organizations have access to the best information and communication technology and practices when serving people in the developing world. To overcome the enormity of the challenges in Haiti, NetHope – in partnership with its NGO member agencies and the United Nations Emergency Telecom Cluster - dispatched a team of engineers to set up a telecommunications infrastructure and wireless connectivity in Port-au-Prince, using a combination of VSAT satellite dishes and Wi-Fi wireless networks.
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Internet Freedom
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Posted by Craig Mundie
Chief Research and Strategy Officer
Craig Mundie, Chief Research and Strategy Officer
This morning, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered remarks on the topic of Internet Freedom and, in particular, the role of technology in enabling “21st Century Statecraft.” Appropriately, her remarks were streamed live on the Internet, and news sites, blogs, twitter feeds, and a variety of Internet-connected applications and devices brought her thoughts to people who could not attend in person. This application of technology to meet basic human goals related to access to information, communications, civil engagement, and expanding mutual understanding, is something we think a great deal about at Microsoft. I wanted to share some of our perspective on her speech.
First, we very much welcome Secretary Clinton’s remarks and applaud the heightened attention she’s brought to the important issues of free expression and privacy. These issues are at the heart of what we do to help people and organizations use technology to reach their full potential. In particular, we agree with Secretary Clinton that both governments and the private sector have important roles to play. We also agree that the issues of Internet freedom and economic development are critical and interrelated.
The Secretary also highlighted that the United States cannot address these challenges alone, and in this light the emphasis on international cooperation is important. As I’ve said elsewhere, many Internet policy challenges require us to look at issues from a “supra-national” perspective. Just this week, my colleague Brad Smith emphasized that we need to address privacy in the cloud, in part through better international cooperation. And to help protect freedom of expression and privacy around the world, we partnered with Google, Yahoo!, leading human rights organizations, academics, and investors to form the Global Network Initiative. We agree that online freedom is a question of global concern, and that it is not culturally unique to the United States.
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