Microsoft is required to hand over certain emails stored in Ireland to the US government. That has been decided by an American court. Microsoft objected: the company does not believe that a US court can request foreign e-mails.
The case revolves around a court order from a US judge to access certain emails stored in Ireland. It is not clear what kind of e-mails are involved and whether the sender or recipient is suspected of something.
Microsoft argued that a US court should not issue such an injunction because the emails are not stored in the United States. That’s why Microsoft filed a protest with the court, but the court did not agree with the company. That reports Reuters news agency.
Incidentally, the American secret services have been able to access information that is managed by American companies and stored abroad for some time, on the basis of the controversial Patriot Act. In this case, however, it concerns a criminal investigation by the American Public Prosecution Service.
According to the US court, it does not matter where requested data is stored: as long as Microsoft has it under control, according to the judge they must be transferred if a court order is issued. This obligation applies even if the data is stored in another country. Microsoft does not have to hand over the emails immediately: the company can appeal first.
It is not yet known whether Microsoft will appeal, but it probably is. The company previously said the court order violates multiple international treaties and “degrades the privacy of everyone around the world.”