Well, pray tell what Microsoft was thinking when it came up with this latest ('privacy' themed) PR charade

Summary: More of the patently ridiculous claims that Microsoft combats state-sponsored attacks are being further disseminated by corporate media

The newest PR strategy of some Internet-centric companies, fitting the privacywashing pattern^*, is something along the lines of "will inform users of/about state-sponsored attacks" (Twitter, for instance, made a lot of positive coverage for itself this way). Microsoft inevitably joins in, probably in an effort to garner some positive coverage for itself, however ridiculously and opportunistically.

The LA Times, which based on recent revelations occasionally authors its articles with help from the CIA (i.e. helping to promote the agenda of Deep State, like those who used US-sponsored attacks and Brennan-supported efforts to crack the PCs of US Senate members who had probed CIA torture), has just pushed out there to the broad public Microsoft's propaganda, based on Microsoft's lobbying blog (that's what this blog really is). How pathetic is that? It's not journalism, it's lobbying amplified. To quote the LA Times, "Microsoft pledged on Wednesday to notify people with Microsoft accounts (which include Outlook.com emails and OneDrive) if it believes those accounts have been targeted or hacked by people working on behalf of a nation or state."

"It's not journalism, it's lobbying amplified."To quote Microsoft's lobbyists: "We already notify users if we believe their accounts have been targeted or compromised by a third party, and we provide guidance on measures users can take to keep their accounts secure. We’re taking this additional step of specifically letting you know if we have evidence that the attacker may be “state-sponsored” because it is likely that the attack could be more sophisticated or more sustained than attacks from cybercriminals and others. These notifications do not mean that Microsoft’s own systems have in any way been compromised."

Well, "the question is," XFaCE wrote in the #techrights IRC channel, "why there are successful state-sponsored attack in the first place?" He was perhaps referring to back doors, which Microsoft deliberately creates for so-called 'law enforcement', with 'terror' as a convenient pretext.

As XFaCE put it, sarcastically, "don't worry, trust Microsoft."

"The same goes for those who cover Microsoft's publicity stunt in Ireland (show trial) and so-called 'secure' facilities in Germany."Microsoft helps state-sponsored attacks by Putin et al (attacks on Russian dissidents) and even by the US government (attacks against the entire world). Even NSA attacks against US citizens and perhaps many others, including members of Congress (who according to the latest developments came under surveillance for purely political purposes). Will Microsoft tell people about state-sponsored attacks that Microsoft itself is aiding?

Microsoft's lobbyists are being laughable here. Those who help these lobbyists get out their message are not journalists or even stenographers. They're what Stalin would have called "useful idiots". The same goes for those who cover Microsoft's publicity stunt in Ireland (show trial) and so-called 'secure' facilities in Germany.

There is a reason why the FBI's Director has been silent about Microsoft's 'encryption'; there are back doors already (don't forget CIPAV for instance). They have been there for a long time. As Micah Lee put it some days ago, "Recently Bought a Windows Computer? Microsoft Probably Has Your Encryption Key" (we covered this a long time ago). Microsoft Peter has already responded to this with an utterly ridiculous article (widely ridiculed on the Web and in forums). Microsoft cares about privacy and security like BP cares about the environment or like Microsoft "loves Linux" (baloney). ⬆ __________ ^* When companies that are among the worst privacy offenders try to paint themselves "privacy champions", much like oil/coal companies try to undergo "greenwashing" treatment, whereby they're viewed as friends of the Earth.