Microsoft

Facial recognition technology: The need for public regulation and corporate responsibility

Facial recognition technology raises issues that go to the heart of fundamental human rights protections like privacy and freedom of expression. These issues heighten responsibility for tech companies that create these products. In our view, they also call for thoughtful government regulation and for the development of norms around acceptable uses. In a democratic republic, there is no substitute for decision making by our elected representatives regarding the issues that require the balancing of public safety with the essence of our democratic freedoms.

Using TV White Space technology in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

More than two months have passed since Puerto Rico and the Caribbean were hit by devastating hurricanes. Like so many people and organizations around the world, Microsoft wanted to help. Following our immediate emergency response, we are continuing to work with government agencies and nonprofit partners to help communities to recover. Following an initial donation, we are providing cash, technology, services and telecommunications support to people and organizations working to support the recovery process in the region.

The need for a Digital Geneva Convention

Just as the Fourth Geneva Convention has long protected civilians in times of war, we now need a Digital Geneva Convention that will commit governments to protecting civilians from nation-state attacks in times of peace. And just as the Fourth Geneva Convention recognized that the protection of civilians required the active involvement of the Red Cross, protection against nation-state cyberattacks requires the active assistance of technology companies. The tech sector plays a unique role as the internet’s first responders, and we therefore should commit ourselves to collective action that will make the internet a safer place, affirming a role as a neutral Digital Switzerland that assists customers everywhere and retains the world’s trust.

Online risks have real-world consequences, new Microsoft research shows

Most people have had at least one negative online experience that resulted in real-world consequences, including a loss of trust in others, increased stress or sleep deprivation, preliminary results of a new Microsoft survey show. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of those polled said they had fallen victim at some point to at least one of 17 different online risks. That figure grows to 78 percent when respondents also considered the online experiences of their friends and families. Half reported being “extremely or very” worried about online risks generally, with the most common concerns being unwanted contact (43 percent) and various forms of harassment (39 percent). The study, “Civility, Safety and Interaction Online – 2016,” polled youth ages 13-17 and adults ages 18-74 in 14 countries.

Digital Common Sense: New Survey Shows Americans Want A Better Privacy Balance

A new Anzalone Liszt Grove research poll commissioned by Microsoft shows it’s not just the Supreme Court that wants the right balance between public safety and the privacy concerns of technology users.

The American public wants this as well. Interestingly, a full 83% of American voters believe police should get a warrant before searching personal information on someone’s cell phone. The poll also found that:

  • 75% agree with Chief Justice Roberts’ statement that “privacy comes at a cost” and there needs to be a balance between fighting crime and our Constitutional right to privacy; and
  • 86% believe police should have to follow the same legal requirements for obtaining personal information stored in the cloud as they do for personal information stored on paper.

Unfinished business on government surveillance reform

Since news reports surfaced about US government surveillance practices, a lot has changed. And there even have been some initial positive reforms.

We all want to live in a safe and secure world and governments --including the US government -- play a vital role in helping to protect our communities. But the reality is clear. The US Government needs to address important unfinished business to reduce the technology trust deficit it has created. There are five things the US government still needs to do:

  1. Recognize that US search warrants end at US borders
  2. End bulk collection
  3. Reform the FISA Court
  4. Commit not to hack data centers or cables
  5. Continue to increase transparency

While the focus today is on the actions the US government needs to take, it is clear that many of the issues and solutions to them are international in nature. We need an international effort to restore the trust of Internet users and strike the right balance between privacy and security. That’s why we remain committed to the creation of new international legal frameworks. Around the world, governments are increasingly recognizing the need for such action, and now it’s time for people to roll up their sleeves and pursue them.

[Smith is General Counsel & Executive Vice President, Legal & Corporate Affairs, Microsoft]