Internet Companies Deny Offering Government Access to Customer Data

[ProSense]

Internet Companies Deny Offering Government Access to Customer Data

ABC News’ Abby Phillip, Steven Portnoy and Joanna Stern report:

<...>

“We have never heard of PRISM,” read an emailed statement from Apple. “We do not provide any government agency with direct access to our servers, and any government agency requesting customer data must get a court order.”

<...>

A Google spokesman said the company does not have “a ‘back door’” for the government to access user data.

“Google cares deeply about the security of our users’ data. We disclose user data to government in accordance with the law, and we review all such requests carefully,” a spokesman said in a statement. “From time to time, people allege that we have created a government ‘back door’ into our systems, but Google does not have a ‘back door’ for the government to access private user data.”

Microsoft, Facebook and Yahoo also denied participating in a broad program to collect data.

“We provide customer data only when we receive a legally binding order or subpoena to do so, and never on a voluntary basis,” Microsoft said. “In addition we only ever comply with orders for requests about specific accounts or identifiers. If the government has a broader voluntary national security program to gather customer data we don’t participate in it.”

- more -

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/06/internet-companies-deny-offering-government-access-to-customer-data/

[PSPS]

1. Um, part of the court order compels them to deny everything.

[ProSense]

3. Well,

"Um, part of the court order compels them to deny everything."

...at least we know there was a "court order."

[OregonBlue]

2. It's possible that the Guardian and the Washington Post have been had. Maybe the companies didn't

grant access to their servers. If they did not, those papers are gonna have a lot of egg on their faces.

[RobertEarl]

4. None of those are ISPs.. try again.

[ProSense]

5. I feel

"None of those are ISPs.. try again."

...disappointment in the air: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022960169

[Savannahmann]

6. When the NSA has data centers like this, what do you think they are for?

I mean, it's not like we need a two billion dollar facility in the middle of nowhere to play world class chess with.

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/03/ff_nsadatacenter/

This one should be up and running soon. It is but one of several that are out there. Remember the secret rooms built into AT&T for the warrantless wiretapping? Do we think those were closed down?