Microsoft helped NSA and FBI spy on people! new info from Snowden leaks

On 07/12/2013 at 11:39 PM by Chunopo

Confirmation from leaks by 'traitor' Edward Snowden has confirmed that Microsoft has indeed worked with the NSA and FBI to help spy on peoples e mail and Skype messages, see the article from the UK paper the daily mail below:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2361372/Microsoft-helped-NSA-spy-users-e-mails-Skype-calls.html

We all knew this was happening at some point but this now raises serious questions about Microsofts integrity where the XBone is concerned, their idea of a 24 hr camera in your living room really does create the impression of a 'big brother' style state in which not only are you bombarded with temptation for crap you probably can't afford, but also your converstaions could have been recorded for people to use against you at a later date. This article doesn't surprise me but it's fantastic to have it confirmed by the young hero who has put himself in considerable danger to let the masses know about the underhand tactics of the American Government. Any chance of my purchasing an X Box has been throughly dashed by this news, I just can't support this company any more, at least in the console market, avoiding Microsoft PC programs however will be more difficult!

Nicoleb1989

07/12/2013 at 11:54 PM

I think this news has really put MS in a tough spot. I dont know jack about the whole shit with snowden and quite frankly I dont honestly care. I know my Govt isnt good, Im just waiting for the revolt to break or the zombie virus outbreak. Till then Ill read, play video games, and enjoy my hobbies. MS is prolly gonna suffer a lot of bad finanical damage. If I had preorder the Xbox one I would have dropped it at this news. Glad I got my PS4 one in in time!

Chunopo

07/13/2013 at 12:33 AM

Yeah PS4 was a good option considering everything. I think most people knew this was going on but I'm glad that the leaks have put egg on Microsoft's faces. I can deal with much of the crap but ultimately the thought of anyone being able to spy on me in the privacy of my own home 24 hrs a day is a truly horrifying concept.

asrealasitgets

07/12/2013 at 11:59 PM

I could imagine a scenario like that kid from League of Legends that was arrested for saying stupid things, except with a camera and mic recording you while you arent aware. This bothers me tremendously and I've been beating the "I hate MS" drum for this specific reason.

07/13/2013 at 12:36 AM

Totally agree dude! everyone says stuff that they don't mean, I can understand to some degree the mess created if someone types it but controlling what comes out of our mouths isn't so easy! They've already proved that they will detain 'terrorist suspects' for years with out trial so this is taking us one step closer to 1984!

BrokenH

07/13/2013 at 12:54 AM

I knew about some of this already so I can't feign being surprised. I likewise consider Snowden a hero for risking his life just so we could know the truth on several issues effecting us directly. If anyone was wondering why I've been so piss & vinegar at microsoft lately, this is a damned good example!

07/13/2013 at 03:15 AM

It's beggers belief that wouldn't have made something similar with the new kinect system and even if they wouldn't have the sheer coincidence just can't be ignored. I hope Mr Snowden will find somewhere safe to reside but I just don't think he can ever rest easy now, that lad has given up everything to expose all of this, were all in his debt.

AnonymousJ

07/13/2013 at 12:59 AM

This has bothered me as well. MS can say whatever they want about their policy, they are only one supoena from handing in the goods on anyone.

07/13/2013 at 03:21 AM

I'm a cynic by nature but whenever a company gets so big there are bound to be money grabbing opportunities, Sony and Nintendo have had their fair share of taking the piss over rights and hardware, but to activily work with the government in this manner!! The sad fact is nothing in thsi regards will ever change but Microsoft will have to be much smarter in the future.

Super Step Contributing Writer

07/13/2013 at 01:50 AM

That kid here in TX really flies in the face of the "don't do anything inordinate, and you won't have to worry argument," doesn't he? The police definitely were right to look into that, in my opinion, but the sentence he received? What the fuck?

And here I am typing this online. Patriot Act, NDAA, now this.

Of course, Microsoft is most likely feeling pressured from the government to do this, so I am still more weary of the government than them, but then this bullet point:

"In July last year, nine months after Microsoft bought Skype, the NSA boasted that a new capability had tripled the amount of Skype video calls being collected through Prism"

Oh joy. Of course, I wonder what their source is to claim this boast, cause why would a secretive organization boast anything? I'm guessing they mean internally, but I'm still curious where the information of boasting came from.

07/13/2013 at 03:26 AM

Yeah it's funny how sources are lost or unavailable to suit the main 'parties' involved. Microsoft claim this never happened though it goes against official paperwork that Snowden has released. Funny that they had 100% accuracy for WMD's in Iraq however! I agree with you in that poilce had to do something in case of that TX lad, they would have been under some major scrutiny if they didn't act and something happened but yeah the penalty was way above what it should have been!

Alex-C25

07/13/2013 at 03:48 PM

Seems fitting for the news.......

As for Microsoft and the Xbone, I already got burned out by them and the news just make me stay far away from any Xbone.

07/13/2013 at 11:31 PM

Very fitting indeed! I'm the same Alex, after their backtrack I was tempted to purchase one later down the line but by sheer principle I don't think I can anymore, the only way Microsoft can really be hurt is through their profits!

NSonic79

07/14/2013 at 12:16 AM

this doesn't help MS cause indeed. Though they say the camera won't be used for that purpose I fear that no one will believe them now even if they say this report has no relevance or bearing in the use of their other proprietary technology.

It's getting harder and harder to believe anyone these days. the government, the press, the courts, the corporations. this'll make it a hard sell for anyone now to believe MS since this is confirmed.

07/14/2013 at 07:21 AM

The funny thing is they deny this altogether despite hard evidence being produced!! Honestly my blood boils when I think about the audacity of it all but to sell out everything they built during the reign of the X Box, absolute fucking idiots. They deserve all the shit they have coming to them!

smartcelt

08/15/2013 at 01:06 PM

It came as no surprise to hear about this. It is all just so seedy and underhanded. It probably came down to either threats from the government or promises of favoritism. I agree that Snowden is not a criminal. It took a lot of guts to do what he did. Now they seek to make an example of him. They want the general public to remain in the dark about what is being monitored.

PixlBit