Microsoft companies whose name has been implicated in espionage scandals, mainly after the revelations of Eduard Snowden that targeted the United States intelligence services.
Microsoft officials have denied any participation in such projects, stating loudly and clearly in each individual case that every time it was asked to share its users' information and data, it did so only after receiving a court order.
Today, a Microsoft spokesperson commented on allegations that the company has installed backdoors in its software, explaining that such a move would have destroyed their operations worldwide.
Speaking at The Aspen Institute last week, Scott Charney, corporate vice president of Trustworthy Computing at Microsoft, explained that Microsoft has never been asked by the United States government or any other agency to install backdoors in its software.
Asked if Skype was one of the government's potential targets, Charney said authorities do not have access to its products and user data unless required by a court.
Charney explained that installing a backdoor in their software without a government order is a very risky decision for Microsoft, mainly because such a move could substantially impact their business to such an extent that no one would ever want to use their software again.
That was the news. As for the conclusions, that’s up to you. We certainly wouldn’t expect Mr. Scott Charney, or any other Microsoft representative, to admit to any collaboration with the US government. Besides, the message was clear. Doing so would have direct consequences for the company’s “business.” “Business” is a more elegant word for “sales.”
