Privacy security

Microsoft transparency report: U.S. users most targeted by law enforcement requests

The total number of law enforcement requests for Microsoft's customers' information was lower in 2014 than in 2013, but Microsoft said "transparency is not enough" in our changing world.

"We need commitments that governments will not hack technology companies to access data outside the legal process," wrote Microsoft Deputy General Counsel John Frank when Microsoft published its bi-annual transparency report. "Efforts to hack technology companies have undermined confidence in the security and privacy of online communications. It's time for the executive branch to end its silence on this practice that first came to light more than a year ago."