Hasta La Gadget!

Last week, Microsoft quietly confirmed that cloud data stored on its European servers can still be handed over to American investigators — and the EU is none too pleased about it. As it turns out, the revelation has shed new light on a fundamental conflict between US law and the EU’s Data Protection Directive — an edict requiring that companies notify consumers whenever sharing their personal information. The bi-lateral Safe Harbor agreement calls for similarly strict protocol, but under the Patriot Act (which trumps all else), companies like Microsoft could be forced to hand over private data without informing targeted individuals. In response, some members of the European Parliament are calling upon legislators to take action and to implement safeguards that can’t be overridden by third-party governments. It remains to be seen whether or not this leads to any new laws or transatlantic tensions, but if we’ve learned anything, it’s that Europeans take their clouds very seriously.

Microsoft’s Patriot Act admission has the EU up in arms originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you thought you could evade US intelligence by moving to Europe and storing your dirty little secrets in Microsoft’s cloud service, guess again. During this week’s launch of Office 365, Gordon Frazer, managing director of Microsoft UK, admitted for the first time that cloud data stored at European datacenters could still be handed over to American officials, as outlined by US law. When asked whether Microsoft could guarantee that its EU-stored data would never leave the continent (even if requested under the Patriot Act), Frazer replied: “Microsoft cannot provide those guarantees. Neither can any other company.” Because the company’s headquarters are in the US, it’s obligated to adhere to American laws, meaning that any of the data stored on its servers is fair game for authorities to seize and inspect. Frazer insisted that targeted users “would be informed whenever possible,” but claimed that neither Microsoft nor any other US company can guarantee advanced notification. Bottom line: you’re better off hiding those nefarious files the old fashioned way — in an offshore safe deposit box.

Microsoft: European cloud data may not be immune to the Patriot Act originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Look, Capitol Hill is a nice place to be, okay? There are interns eager to please, lobbyists keen to buy you dinner, why would you ever want to leave? Unfortunately for US Congressmen and women, the schleps who elected them insist on getting face time with their supposed representatives, which means a regular schedule of commuting getting in the way of some critically important foot massages and aromatherapy treatments. Never fear, though, Skype has come to the rescue. Microsoft’s latest acquisition has scored a stamp of approval from the House of Representatives, permitting Congresspersons to use it to interact with constituents, attend virtual town hall meetings, and collaborate with other members of the House. All fun-making of lawmakers aside, this strikes us as a step in the right direction and Skype promises that it’s done its homework on keeping communications secure. Let’s hope so.

Skype gets Congressional approval, will help Representatives stay in touch with the common people originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 03:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The US government is serious about online security, just ask any one of its cyber commandos. Adding to its arsenal for battling the big bad hackers, Reuters reports that DARPA is working on a National Cyber Range, which would act a standalone internet simulation engine where digital warriors can be trained and experimental ideas tested out. Lockheed Martin and Johns Hopkins University are competing to provide the final system, with one of them expected to soon get the go-ahead for a one-year trial, which, if all goes well, will be followed by DARPA unleashing its techies upon the virtual firing range in earnest next year. The cost of the project is said to run somewhere near $130 million, which might have sounded a bit expensive before the recent spate of successful hacking attacks on high profile private companies, but now seems like a rational expenditure to ensure the nuclear missile codes and the people crazy enough to use them are kept at a safe distance from one another. DARPA has a pair of other cleverly titled cybersecurity schemes up its sleeve, called CRASH and CINDER, but you’ll have to hit the source link to learn more about them.

DARPA setting up a $130 million ‘virtual firing range’ to help battle cyber attacks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 03:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thunderbolt (formerly known as Light Peak) may have been developed by Intel, but it’s Apple that’s been snatching up all the trademark glory. The company first filed in November of 2010 in Jamaica, then followed up in February of this year by securing the rights to the name in Canada, before registering similar claims in Europe, China, and now the US. This raised some interesting questions about Intel’s claim to be the exclusive trademark holder (see the more coverage link) and whether or not other companies would be able to use the Thunderbolt brand. Intrigued, we did a little digging and you’ll find what we uncovered after the break.

Continue reading Why Apple is trademarking Thunderbolt and why Sony might be left out

Why Apple is trademarking Thunderbolt and why Sony might be left out originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 May 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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