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Microsoft Opens Source to China

angst7 writes "ZDNet is reporting that Microsoft has signed an agreement which would allow the Chinese government access to Windows source code. This is part of an effort to curb the shift toward Linux in China due to that country's concerns regarding the security of closed source software." Reader NZheretic points out that less than a year ago, Jim Allchin swore under oath that disclosing the Windows operating system source code could damage national security.

2 of 480 comments (clear)

  1. If China has access to the code by shine-shine · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Wouldn't some US based corporations opt to go with a different operating system for their internal affairs? I know that I wouldn't like keeping a Win2k server, which has weekly security patches coming out (after people without access to the code discovered holes in the system), when others can devise unexpected attacks on my systems? Uh uh, no thanks.

  2. Damaging national security by Bas_Wijnen · · Score: 0, Redundant

    less than a year ago, Jim Allchin swore under oath that disclosing the Windows operating system source code could damage national security.

    Of course it only damages security if by opening up it would come in the hands of dangerous and evil people. Our comrades from China are very trustworthy, they would never want to harm an honest US company.