Microsoft's "Spy Guide" Handbook Leaked Online
Microsoft was yesterday fretting over a leaked document that the company clearly didn't want anyone reading.
Watchdog website Cryptome has posted Microsoft's 'Global Criminal Compliance Handbook' on its website and despite Microsoft's best efforts, the document remains online for the world to see.
The Criminal Compliance Handbook is more of a guide and is meant for law enforcement agencies that want to know what kind private data Microsoft stores and how they should go about requesting it.
CNet Cites Cryptome owner John Young who says he believes the documents that he publishes are indications that companies are bending over backwards to placate law enforcement officials because they're afraid of being targeted by them. Young says he feels that Microsoft's Surveillance Guide goes much further in holding the hands of law enforcement than the typical document. Mr Young claims the document, which he refers to as a Spy Guide, came from a Web site that specialized in training law enforcement.
Several news outlets report that yesterday afternoon Microsoft sent a take-down noticed to Cryptome asking that the site's owner, John Young, remove the document from Cryptome.org. Young refused and was sent a notice citing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by his host; Network Solutions said they would have to shut down his website if he did not remove the files and for a brief period, his website was unavailable.
Young has since posted an update to his site saying Microsoft has withdrawn its complaint and, at the time of writing, Redmond's "Global Criminal Compliance Handbook" is still available online.
If downloading the document isn't your thing, you can check it out here on Scribd (via Business Insider).
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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Tomtompiper Glad I'm using PCLinuxOS. Microsoft and Google are so intrusive it is frightening.Reply -
redplanet_returns I thought facts can't be copyrighted...this and corporations abusing the already messed up DMCA for stuff they don't want leaked out is truly bothersomeReply -
redplanet_returns also bravo to cryptome for exposing the BS and taking a stand for what he/it believes in!Reply -
This is nothing new. Comcast has a similar document explaining the correct procedures for law enforcement to request information. All it does is attempt to organize large number of requests they receive into a formal, organized and supported procedure. Rather than have law enforcement call and make demands on receptionists or the cable guy.Reply
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is anyone actually reading the document? its not like they're storing very controversial stuff.. login info for your msn? well.. duh..Reply
the emails you get to you hotmail adress? again, duh..
some ip adress info? yeah ok but compared to google thats nothing
they're basically saying they are storing the stuff you put on their online services, hardly a suprise.
the real wtf i why this document is secret, esp since this information is available else where but perhaps not in this concetrated form..
it would be real interesting to see googles corresponding document though.. -
Have read the complete document as well as Pay-pals Document and face-books document.Reply
Its fair to say that details of your Account creation, User submitted information on those Accounts that you have supplied on their creation as well as various Logs of IP addresses and times you have logged on to their services are held, for a period of time or indefinitely in the cases off accounts on E-bay...
So it goes without saying that there must be a procedure for the Law enforcement to get this information with the correct court orders to help them solve crime!
The thing that scares people is all the data that is out there that they have submitted and who has access to it, but then, lets see everyone try live without ever entering any information into the Net at all, just dont go online if you are worried about it..
The documents are detailed but not detrimental as first laid out to be in the article, they are a matter of fact and they just confirm the details being held on user accounts which is wild information in any case
Lets see toms hardware policy whilst we are at it, that would be refreshing to see a site give that up without it being snooped, honesty is the best policy.. -
mlopinto2k1 tomtompiperGlad I'm using PCLinuxOS. Microsoft and Google are so intrusive it is frightening.I am using Ubuntu Studio. I am right there with you bro. Or sis. lol.Reply
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mlopinto2k1 Actually, after reading the first few pages.. It really doesn't look like much! It's just a detailed accounting of what happens with their online services. Police need detailed information especially if they are questioning someone about internet information. Someone can easily lie and say this and say that. If the police believed them, they wouldn't even have known they could have looked into something a little farther and maybe have found out some information.Reply
This documentation could be beneficial to CRIMINALS though!