This story was originally published on February 24 and two days later, Cryptome was back online, apparently because Microsoft did not have a legal leg to stand on. Ultimately Microsoft's attempt to conceal how they spy on their customers through a bogus copyright infringement lawsuit was a failure. Read the back and forth between John Young of Cryptome, Microsoft's Anti-Piracy Investigator and Cryptome's hosting provider Network Solutions here.

According to Ryan Singel of Wired:

"Microsoft has managed to do what a roomful of secretive, three-letter government agencies have wanted to do for years: get the whistleblowing, government-document sharing site Cryptome shut down.

"Microsoft dropped a DMCA notice alleging copyright infringement on Cryptome’s proprietor John Young on Tuesday after he posted a Microsoft surveillance compliance document that the company gives to law enforcement agents seeking information on Microsoft users. Young filed a counterclaim on Wednesday — arguing he had a fair use to publishing the document, a full day before the Thursday deadline set by his hosting provider, Network Solutions.

"Regardless, Cryptome was shut down by Network Solutions and its domain name locked on Wednesday — shuttering a site that thumbed its nose at the government since 1996 — posting thousands of documents that the feds would prefer never saw the light of day.

"Microsoft did not return a call for comment by press time.

"The 22-page document (.pdf) contains no trade secrets, but will tell Microsoft users things they didn’t know. (You can read it directly on your own computer from the above link, or read it inline below.)

"For instance, Xbox Live records every IP address you ever use to login and stores them for perpetuity. While that’s going to be creepy for some, there’s an upside if your house gets robbed, according to the document: 'If your investigation involves a stolen Xbox console, if the console serial number or Xbox LIVE user gamertag is provided and the console has been connected to the Internet, IP connection records may be available.'

"The Microsoft® Online Services Global Criminal Compliance Handbook (.pdf) also goes so far as to provide sample language for subpoenas and diagrams on how to understand server logs.

"Other things you might not know and which Microsoft (sometimes oddly) doesn’t want you to know?

"Microsoft retains only the last 10 login records for Windows Live ID. As for your instant messages, it tells police that it keeps no record of what anyone says over Microsoft Messenger - though it will turn over who is on your buddy list."

Read the rest of the article here

posted by: Harold Johns III

" />In WTF News: Microsoft Temporarily Takes Down Whistleblower Site Cryptome | The Rathaus

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In WTF News: Microsoft Temporarily Takes Down Whistleblower Site Cryptome

February 26, 2010 communication, culture, The Rathaus

This story was originally published on February 24 and two days later, Cryptome was back online, apparently because Microsoft did not have a legal leg to stand on. Ultimately Microsoft’s attempt to conceal how they spy on their customers through a bogus copyright infringement lawsuit was a failure. Read the back and forth between John Young of Cryptome, Microsoft’s Anti-Piracy Investigator and Cryptome’s hosting provider Network Solutions here.

According to Ryan Singel of Wired:

“Microsoft has managed to do what a roomful of secretive, three-letter government agencies have wanted to do for years: get the whistleblowing, government-document sharing site Cryptome shut down.

“Microsoft dropped a DMCA notice alleging copyright infringement on Cryptome’s proprietor John Young on Tuesday after he posted a Microsoft surveillance compliance document that the company gives to law enforcement agents seeking information on Microsoft users. Young filed a counterclaim on Wednesday — arguing he had a fair use to publishing the document, a full day before the Thursday deadline set by his hosting provider, Network Solutions.

“Regardless, Cryptome was shut down by Network Solutions and its domain name locked on Wednesday — shuttering a site that thumbed its nose at the government since 1996 — posting thousands of documents that the feds would prefer never saw the light of day.

“Microsoft did not return a call for comment by press time.

“The 22-page document (.pdf) contains no trade secrets, but will tell Microsoft users things they didn’t know. (You can read it directly on your own computer from the above link, or read it inline below.)

“For instance, Xbox Live records every IP address you ever use to login and stores them for perpetuity. While that’s going to be creepy for some, there’s an upside if your house gets robbed, according to the document: ‘If your investigation involves a stolen Xbox console, if the console serial number or Xbox LIVE user gamertag is provided and the console has been connected to the Internet, IP connection records may be available.’

“The Microsoft® Online Services Global Criminal Compliance Handbook (.pdf) also goes so far as to provide sample language for subpoenas and diagrams on how to understand server logs.

“Other things you might not know and which Microsoft (sometimes oddly) doesn’t want you to know?

“Microsoft retains only the last 10 login records for Windows Live ID. As for your instant messages, it tells police that it keeps no record of what anyone says over Microsoft Messenger – though it will turn over who is on your buddy list.”

Read the rest of the article here

posted by: Harold Johns III

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