NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Skype's Been Hijacked in China, and Microsoft Is O.K. With It
Skype's Been Hijacked in China, and Microsoft Is O.K. With It
http://j.mp/12ALxP7 (Business Week)
On Jan. 24, an international group of activists and rights groups
published an open letter to Skype, calling on it to disclose its
security and privacy practices. Microsoft, when asked for comment on
Knockel's findings and activists' concerns, issued a statement it
attributed to an unnamed spokesperson for its Skype unit. "Skype's
mission is to break down barriers to communications and enable
conversations worldwide," the statement said. "Skype is committed to
continued improvement of end user transparency wherever our software
is used." Microsoft's statement also said that "in China, the Skype
software is made available through a joint venture with TOM Online. As
majority partner in the joint venture, TOM has established procedures
to meet its obligations under local laws."
- - -
Considering Microsoft's continued explicit participation in the
Chinese government's Internet censorship regime, this news is not at
all surprising. Does Microsoft have to obey local laws? Yes.
However, they are not required to provided services in the first place
in an unethical manner. That is, they could choose to withdraw Skype
from China when the only legal way to run it is unethical. But of
course, that's a business decision that seems to always trump ethics
where Microsoft is concerned these days.
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein (lauren@vortex.com): http://www.vortex.com/lauren
Co-Founder: People For Internet Responsibility: http://www.pfir.org/pfir-info
Founder:
- Network Neutrality Squad: http://www.nnsquad.org
- PRIVACY Forum: http://www.vortex.com/privacy-info
- Data Wisdom Explorers League: http://www.dwel.org
- Global Coalition for Transparent Internet Performance: http://www.gctip.org
Member: ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
Google+: http://vortex.com/g+lauren / Twitter: http://vortex.com/t-lauren
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 / Skype: vortex.com
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