Microsoft Makes Appeal to NSA on PRISM Scandal

In a surprise move for Microsoft, general counsel Brad Smith wrote to US Attorney General Eric Holder to make a plea for permission to disclose and explain to the public what information the software giant has been handing over to the NSA as part of the PRISM scandal, which came to light by leaker Eric Snowden who is now seeking asylum while holed up in a Russian airport.

The concerns brought up by Microsoft's attorney primarily deal with preserving constitutional rights of U.S. citizens. However, it is more likely that Microsoft's lawyers are concerned with liability over the surrendering their customers' data to the U.S. Government, and potential for lawsuits as part of those requests.

With more and more data being stored in the cloud, and most computers on a 24/7 connection to the internet with various "behind the scenes" applications transmitting data to Microsoft, its likely that all of our computers are potential sources for monitoring by government authorities.

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