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Successful Legal Action Helps Protect Microsoft Customers from ‘Spim’
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Posted by Tim Cranton
Associate General Counsel
As you may recall, Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit last July filed a lawsuit alleging that Hong Kong-based Funmobile Ltd. had improperly sent instant messaging spam – or “spim” – to thousands of Windows Live Messenger customers since March 2009.
I’m happy to report that this week, Microsoft has reached a settlement with Funmobile. Under the terms of the agreement, Funmobile will refrain from “spimming” customers or contacts of Windows Live Messenger and will make a cash payment to Microsoft. The successful resolution of this case sends a clear signal that Microsoft does not tolerate this kind of activity on its networks and we will continue to take action to protect our customers.
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Saturday: Brad Smith Talks Cloud Computing on C-SPAN
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Posted by David Bowermaster
Administrator, Microsoft on the Issues
As you may have read here recently, Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith delivered a speech on cloud computing at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. last month.
In his remarks, Brad described the many ways cloud computing can increase the efficiency and transparency of government and other parts of society, and noted areas where the development of cloud computing must be carefully managed, particularly when it comes to privacy and data security. He encouraged industry and policymakers to take action to build confidence in cloud computing, and proposed the Cloud Computing Advancement Act to promote innovation, protect consumers and provide government with new tools to address the critical issues of data privacy and security.
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‘Maga No Need Pay’: Nigeria Gets Creative to Fight Cyber Scams
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Posted by Tim Cranton
Associate General Counsel
This week, a new pop song hits the airwaves in West Africa with a highly unusual message: Don’t be seduced by cybercrime.
Cybercrime is a global issue, but perhaps no form of cybercrime has been more associated with a region than the advance fee fraud collectively known as “Nigeria” or “419” scams (419 is the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with fraud). Through schemes such as fake lotteries, bogus inheritances, romantic relationships, investment opportunities or – infamously – requests for assistance from “officials,” scammers promise an elusive fortune in exchange for advance payments.
West Africa is by no means the only source of these scams, but the region is stepping up to address their impact in a variety of creative ways.
419 scams have taken root in Nigeria’s popular culture. Scammers enjoy a rebellious, “cool” mystique, even producing songs and music videos that celebrate their own audacity. At the same time, 419 scam victims around the world are often stigmatized as naïve or gullible, which discourages many from coming forward.
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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 & 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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One Year of Health-Care Reform: Fixing the Core Problems or Symptoms?
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Posted by Peter Neupert
Corporate Vice President, Health Solutions Group
(Cross-posted from The Washington Post Health Care Rx blog, which periodically asks Peter Neupert and a panel of other experts to weigh-in on efforts to reform the nation’s health care system.)
Will all of this year's activity actually improve our health delivery system? I'm optimistic, but I'm also skeptical that the kind of comprehensive change we need to truly reform the system will happen.
My optimism stems from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which included $36 billion in funding to encourage the use of technology by health-care providers. For the first time, the "meaningful use" rule-making describes technology as a means to improving health outcomes by using real-time data and quality reporting.
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Microsoft and the FTC: A Continued Focus on Privacy (Update)
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UPDATE: December 7, 2009 – 7:30 a.m. Pacific
Posted by David Bowermaster
Administrator, Microsoft on the Issues
The Federal Trade Commission’s roundtable series on “Exploring Privacy” begins today in Washington, D.C. Microsoft Associate General Counsel Mike Hintze is participating in the first panel of the day, entitled “Benefits and Risks of Collecting, Retaining and Using Consumer Data.”
Links to a Webcast of the event and background materials are available here. The extensive public comments that Mike Hintze filed on behalf of Microsoft last month are also available online, if you’d like to delve into the specifics of our position and our privacy protections.
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Posted by Frank Torres
Director, Consumer Affairs
(originally posted November 9, 2009)
On December 7, the Federal Trade Commission will host the first in a series of day-long roundtable discussions “to explore the privacy challenges posed by the vast array of 21st century technology and business practices that collect and use consumer data.” The goal of the sessions, according to the Commission, “is to determine how best to protect consumer privacy while supporting beneficial uses of the information and technological innovation.”
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Ads that Help Consumers Understand Online Advertising
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Posted by Bill Nielsen
Director, Industry Outreach
Microsoft Advertising
The Interactive Advertising Bureau today launched its first public-service advertising campaign, entitled “Privacy Matters,” designed to educate consumers about interest-based or behavioral advertising. Microsoft assisted the campaign by contributing advertising impressions, along with many other IAB members, and helping with testing of the creative, ad-serving and analytics.
The goal of the campaign is to educate consumers about how online advertising works and provide them with information to help protect their privacy online—all in plain English.
The campaign is comprised of a series of online ads that lead to a branded, information-rich Web site, http://www.iab.net/privacymatters. At that site, consumers can get advice about how to protect their online privacy and engage in conversations about their privacy concerns.
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Microsoft and the FTC: A Continued Focus on Privacy
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Posted by Frank Torres
Director, Consumer Affairs
On December 7, the Federal Trade Commission will host the first in a series of day-long roundtable discussions “to explore the privacy challenges posed by the vast array of 21st century technology and business practices that collect and use consumer data.” The goal of the sessions, according to the Commission, “is to determine how best to protect consumer privacy while supporting beneficial uses of the information and technological innovation.”
As part of the ramp-up to the roundtables, the Commission invited public comments about how best to address consumer privacy in emerging technologies. Our comments focus on Health IT, online advertising, and cloud computing. These three evolving fields have a lot in common: each promises significant potential benefits for both consumers and innovators, but widespread adoption depends on ensuring users’ privacy at every step.
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