Microsoft privacy defence delays police

[Zeus]

Microsoft has refused to hand over details about a 'criminal' as requested by police in New Zealand. The man in question had given MS his details as he seeked a replacement part for a STOLEN Xbox 360. However, MS insists it is not bound by NZ laws and takes its customer information very seriously.


Police had to obtain a court order to seize details of a man they believed was linked to a series of Wellington burglaries - after he had given his details to the company seeking a replacement part for a stolen Xbox 360 console.

The computer company had the man's name, address and phone number - but would not provide the information to police.

The Privacy Act compels private and public organisations to divulge information to allow the law to be upheld.

But Microsoft insisted that as an American company it was not bound by New Zealand laws and could not pass on confidential customer information.


News Source: <A href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/3954263a10.html" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>

[waddpsw]

That is a little rich. Who is MS's customer ?? The guy or store who originally bought the xbox and then had it stolen or the scum who stole it ??

MS seems to think the latter.
I am all for privacy but in this case they are wrong and need to co-operate. If the crim is stupid enough to call about a stolen xbox then MS should be notifying the cops. Now everyone who has stolen an Xbox or 360 know they can ring and register at MS and they wont cough up the details to the plod. :confused:

[gonepostl]

Let's setup a server in new zealand. Host the cracked vista and see how they respond to that!

[Murc]

good, I'm glad that MS takes it seriously, If they agree to confidentiality...they should uphold it.

[waddpsw]

Let's setup a server in new zealand. Host the cracked vista and see how they respond to that!


LOL - they would be cracking down asap and wondering why the police arnt helping them. Great point :)


"Murc - good, I'm glad that MS takes it seriously, If they agree to confidentiality...they should uphold it."

I bet if it was in the US they would be complying quick smart. The thief shouldnt be a customer of MS in the first place so there is nothing to keep "private". If the peep isnt a thief then he/she shouldnt be worried about the cops visiting to verify it.

If any organisation had a registration with a known stolen system you think privacy laws should protect that person ??


Regards

Wad

[Reset]

U need to realize in america, posetion is 9/10 of the law or whatever. so even though he is accused of stealing the system. he is innocent until proven guilty.

The story says he is beleived to have burglurized bulidings. Actually they believe he was linked. maybe the guy with the broken box bought it hot. the police then of course would like to know where he got it. what if then hes says the back of a van. all im saying is we have do process for a reason.

oh and btw edit... how many ppl here use pirated copied of windows. you know microsoft still keeps ur info private even though you have stolen there product.

[kgn340]

Actually they believe he was linked.
What if the console was registered with M$ and M$ could contact the previous owner and PROVE that it was stolen?

M$ isn't concerned with this theft because they have nothing to lose. However, the poor SOB that had his console stolen will have to buy a new one.

M$ benefits by doing nothing.

[Reset]

What if the console was registered with M$ and M$ could contact the previous owner and PROVE that it was stolen?

M$ isn't concerned with this theft because they have nothing to lose. However, the poor SOB that had his console stolen will have to buy a new one.

M$ benefits by doing nothing.

It was obvioulsy stolen, the question is who stole it. international laws are what they are. and anyway, they cant prove that just because someone called in a stolen xbox that the person who made the call actually stole it, and if it was, how can they know that the thief (usually honest ppl) gave them legitmate info in the first place. ever heard of a watch house.

if it were america, the police would need to and most likeley would get a warrant from a judge after presenting reasonable cause. microsoft wouldnt just hand it over willy nilly. but international laws are different. If this person were a violent dager, things might be different.

also what if i bought an xbox, registered it, it broke, i sold it for crack, then decided to say it was stolen. not likley, but proof is a *****.

[uipe]

oh and btw edit... how many ppl here use pirated copied of windows. you know microsoft still keeps ur info private even though you have stolen there product.

IMHO you aren't using the right example to prove your case, first of all it's not Microsoft interest that we are talking about it's the poor guy from whom the Xbox was stolen and second we aren't even talking if MS should have come forward in the first place saying that it was a stolen product but if MS should give the cops the info they are asking.

And another thing when MS started logging your data when you entered the update page it was forced to do it entirely anonymously because was violating the laws of personal anonymity, because if they could they were already telling the cops who was using illegal copies of windows.

[Reset]

if you think microsoft is saving the info because they want to make another 400 bucs from the guy. I just doubt that. I think it has more to do with privacy policies and like anything else if you break for this you break for other things and whats next. they have a universal policy not to give out names or personal identifiable info unless ordered by laws they are subject to, period.
And another thing when MS started logging your data when you entered the update page it was forced to do it entirely anonymously because was violating the laws of personal anonymity, because if they could they were already telling the cops who was using illegal copies of windows.
and wipe out 50 percent or more of its user base. I dont think that would be smart do you. there is a reason why non-genuine windows still run and do security updates. Its because microsoft wants windows on every pc period. Though there official stance is that lots of its customers didnt know they were buying pirated software. so m$ only encourage an upgrade and leave a reasonable possibility of innocence open.

[cory149]

All this is assuming that the supposed "thief" even knows the console was stolen. You guys do realize that crackhead criminals abound, and normally they take the time to sell their stolen goods to unsuspecting people wrather than send them off for warranty repair (esp. when they know it is stolen...).

[uipe]

and wipe out 50 percent or more of its user base. I dont think that would be smart do you. there is a reason why non-genuine windows still run and do security updates.

yeah and the monthly, even weakly updates to their genuine verification system is just so the hackers have something to do in their spare time, they have spent millions in it but what they really want is for everyone to be able to use the updates...

[Reset]

yeah and the monthly, even weakly updates to their genuine verification system is just so the hackers have something to do in their spare time, they have spent millions in it but what they really want is for everyone to be able to use the updates...
Im talking about the monthly updates for non genuine advantage windows pc's that microsoft provides. your right I dont think they want there current genuien advantage to be hacked (it is). they dont allow non genuine windows to update to the new internet explorer or ms defender. but it still does security updates. albeit mostley to protect the global windows system.