Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
    • Reason TV
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • Free Media
    • The Reason Interview
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • Freed Up
    • The Soho Forum Debates
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Subscriber Support

Log In

Create new account

Civil Liberties

Microsoft Reveals Police Requests for User Data

Only complied in two percent of cases

Reason Staff | 3.21.2013 1:16 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Microsoft said today that in 2012 it received 75,378 law enforcement requests worldwide for customer information, but that it disclosed customer content in only 2 percent of those cases.

That's just a couple of the details laid out in its "2012 Law Enforcement Requests Report," the first-ever such disclosure from the software giant.

The report covers all of Microsoft's major online services including Hotmail, Outlook.com; SkyDrive; Xbox Live; Microsoft Account; and Office 365, and also discloses similar data relating to Skype.

In releasing the data about law enforcement requests, Microsoft follows the lead of online heavyweights Google and Twitter. Microsoft said it will update its report every six months.

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: CT Could Legalize Doctor-Assisted Suicide

Reason Staff
Civil LibertiesPrivacyPolice
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Show Comments (0)

Latest

Pamela Colloff on America's Biggest Jailhouse Snitch, Wrongful Convictions, and Criminal Justice

Billy Binion | From the November 2026 issue

Police Destroyed Their Homes and Businesses. The Supreme Court Won't Say Who Should Pay.

Billy Binion | 10.25.2026 7:00 AM

Vinay Prasad on Anthony Fauci, COVID-19 Restrictions, and RFK Jr.

Zach Weissmueller | From the November 2026 issue

Iowa Voters Don't Want Police or Flock Tracking Their Cars. Politicians Are Still Catching Up.

Davide Mamone | 10.24.2026 8:00 AM

Trump Wants To Force Data Centers To 'Make Their Own Electricity.' Deregulation Would Work Better.

Josh Pauzé | 10.23.2026 5:30 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS Add Reason to Google

© 2026 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reason

The All-Argentina Issue is Here

New from Reason: a look into what Javier Milei has accomplished and what it will take to make the most of Argentina’s window for real change. Out now for subscribers.

Subscribe & Start Reading Learn More