Microsoft is taking a stand over email ownership and privacy as it refused a warrant by the US government directing it to turn over customer email data held overseas.
Initially, Microsoft had a deadline of 31 July to hand over the email data in question, which is held in a data centre in Ireland. The warrant was extended in order to provide the software giant enough time to work on an appeal, amid complaints from international companies arguing that the move to seize data held internationally was illegal.
However, despite the suspension being lifted on Friday, as the prosecutors convinced Chief Judge Loretta Preska of the U.S. District Court in Manhattan that her order was not appealable, Microsoft is still refusing to comply with the judge's order and said it would not release any emails during the appeal process. The judge has ordered both the federal prosecutors and Microsoft to advise on how to proceed by Friday 5 September, before the court forces a resolution.
"Microsoft will not be turning over the email and plans to appeal," a Microsoft statement reads, according to WindowsITPro. "Everyone agrees this case can and will proceed to the appeals court. This is simply about finding the appropriate procedure for that to happen."
Technology companies have increasing concerns regarding the US government's requests to extract data stored in foreign countries, fearing that this could damage their relations with these nations and/or their residents. Thus some large tech companies are actively trying to improve the privacy of customers.
Microsoft's move may force Judge Preska to find the company in contempt. Its rivals AT&T, Apple, Cisco and Verizon are all monitoring the case closely and have submitted briefs to support the firm's efforts to contest the federal court order.
