Tech giants rally alongside Microsoft in refusing to hand over emails

Major technology companies such as Apple, Amazon, HP and eBay are supporting Microsoft in its refusal to provide e-mail data stored in Europe to the US government. Other organizations and computer scientists also express their support.

A large number of organizations, companies and individuals have expressed support for Microsoft’s position. Microsoft will not comply with a US government order to hand over European customer email data stored in data centers in Ireland. “We believe that if a government wants to get hold of e-mail that is stored in another country, it must do so in a way that respects national and international laws,” Microsoft’s chief legal officer Brad Smith said. For example, the US should regulate this in a treaty with Ireland.

Amazon, Apple, Cisco, HP, AT&T, Verizon and Salesforce, among others, agree with Microsoft and media such as CNN, The Washington Post and The Guardian have also expressed their support. In addition, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the BSA are also on the list, as well as a number of computer scientists. The New York judge has already reprimanded Microsoft for refusing to comply with the order. Microsoft nevertheless wants to wait for an appeal first.