Company Argues for Congress to Update Outdated Laws Governing Technology Communications
Brad Smith, President and Chief Legal Officer, Microsoft
(Washington, D.C., Wednesday, February 28, 2018) – On Tuesday the Supreme Court heard arguments from Microsoft and the Justice Department in a case that will determine whether law written in 1986 gives law enforcement power to seize a Microsoft customer’s email located in Ireland. Microsoft argues there is broad agreement the law as written doesn’t give the government the power it seeks, ignores international law and potentially could open Americans’ inboxes to foreign governments. Microsoft is one of many voices calling on Congress to modernize the law in order to give law enforcement adequate tools while also protecting digital privacy and respecting international borders.