Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft Complaints Help Russian Gov't Pursue Political Opposition Groups

Posted by timothy on from the honestly-now dept.

asaz989 writes "The New York Times reports that Russia selectively pursues software piracy complaints from Microsoft in order to suppress the opposition — confiscating computers for evidence, searching offices, and the like. Microsoft lawyers usually back the authorities in such cases, even when cases such as that of the environmentalist group Baikal Waves, which went out of its way to buy licenses to prevent police harassment and nevertheless had its offices raided, and its computers confiscated. Microsoft participated in this legal process. Published alongside this story, under the same byline, is a related piece on the collusion of Microsoft lawyers with corrupt Russian police in extorting money from the targets of software piracy investigations. In a responding press release, the company states, 'Microsoft antipiracy efforts are designed to honor both [antipiracy concerns and human rights], but we are open to feedback on what we can do to improve in that regard.'"

9 of 249 comments (clear)

  1. If ever there was a perfect reason to switch.. by phaggood · · Score: 5, Insightful

    to open source, this is a prime example. Sheesh!

    1. Re:If ever there was a perfect reason to switch.. by dnaumov · · Score: 5, Insightful

      to open source, this is a prime example. Sheesh!

      How would switching to open source help when you are getting raided on the PRETENSE you are using pirated software? You could be using a lab full od Linux PCs and still get raided to ensure you are "in compliance".

    2. Re:If ever there was a perfect reason to switch.. by zlogic · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Russian authorities often (but luckily not always) decide that if you're using Linux, you have something to hide. After all, the interface is completely different so this must be an evasive move to prevent authorities from searching for incriminating stuff with Windows Explorer's Search function. Automated tools for extracting web history, chat logs and email cannot be launched on a Linux machine. Also, the OS can be modified to hide stuff or do some nasty hacking shit. And no, I'm not joking.

    3. Re:If ever there was a perfect reason to switch.. by Ogi_UnixNut · · Score: 5, Interesting

      That sounds like the same crap we get from law enforcement here in the UK. If a police officer sees a PC that does not run windows, they usually assume you are hiding something from them. I've actually heard them refer to it as "that hacker system". Seems that unless you are running Microsoft software (or a Mac running OSX), they will generally suspect you of something. Primarily because they seem to think that if you are not using Windows, it's a deliberate ploy to prevent their "forensic tools" and "experts" from prying, and that you are using it for "non-legal" purposes.

      God forbid they ever look at my laptop, in addition to it not being windows, it starts up in command line mode, and has encrypted partitions and files all over the place. I would not like to find out what explaining that to them would be like (let alone what would happen if they don't believe me).

    4. Re:If ever there was a perfect reason to switch.. by commodore64_love · · Score: 5, Interesting

      >>>That sounds like the same crap we get from law enforcement here in the [A$]. If a police officer sees a PC that does not run windows, they usually assume you are hiding something
      >>>

      where A$ == EU, US, Canada, Australia, and so on. I don't think this is necessarily government poliy, but merely the innate instinct of human being to distrust things that are strange or unfamiliar to them.
      .

      >>>I would not like to find out what explaining that to them would be like

      Good grief... NEVER TALK TO POLICE. Exercise your inalienable right to speak freely AND exercise your inalienable right to not speak/ remain silent. See this video. Part 1 is the law professor, and Part 2 is the cop whose job is to entrap you into admitting guilt, even if you are completely innocent - http://youtu.be/i8z7NC5sgik
      .

      --
      "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
    5. Re:If ever there was a perfect reason to switch.. by hoggoth · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Bullshit, bullshit, and more bullshit.

      Every decision is made by a human being. I am tired of "corporations" getting a pass for immoral decisions because they are not people, but imaginary entities. Every corporation is run by people who sit behind a desk and decide what to do.

      Every clerk who kills someone by denying them medical coverage is committing an immoral act.
      The Microsoft exec who decided he could make his quarterly numbers by assisting in mafia-style protection and harassment cons against Russian companies is committing an immoral act.

      Never forget that. Don't let it slide. When evil is done, someone made the decision to do it.

      --
      - For the complete works of Shakespeare: cat /dev/random (may take some time)
  2. Re:Troll story? by DarkKnightRadick · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yes, but Microsoft is apparently in collusion to help the police in these cases. That's disgusting. Absolutely disgusting and it would be so no matter if it was Apple, Google, or some other software vendor.

    --
    "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV)
  3. Re:'cause it's all about money by mcneely.mike · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I know..... but that's why i think people should stop and think about what they are doing once in a while, instead of using Windows because everyone uses Windows even though it is crap.

    People rag on about how weird Richard Stallman is, but he has been correct about pretty much everything.

    This shows us exactly why we should NEVER be using software that locks us in and can be used to harm us.

    --
    soylentnews.org Go there to enjoy the people!
  4. Re:Welcome to the third world by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 5, Informative

    Russia by definition can't be a third world country as they define the second world

    Soviet Union defined the "second world". That country is no more.

    how the fuck can you put Russia in the same category as Nigeria?

    As of 2008:

    Population
    Russia: 142 021 thousand
    Nigeria: 140 003 thousand

    Gini coefficient
    Russia: 40.5
    Nigeria: 43.7

    Corruption index
    Russia: 143rd place
    Nigeria: 147th place

    Average male life expectance
    Russia: 58 years
    Nigeria: 52 years

    Mortality rate
    Russia: 16,04 deaths per 1000 people
    Nigeria: 16,68 deaths per 1000 people

    Property right protection index
    Russia: 63rd out of 70
    Nigeria: 64th out of 70

    Number of citizens in favor of democracy
    Russia: 47.8%
    Nigeria: 44.2%

    Number of citizens claiming that stability is more important than freedom of speech
    Russia: 47%
    Nigeria: 43%

    Press freedom index ("Reporters without borders")
    Russia: 144th out of 169
    Nigeria: 131st out of 169

    Ease of doing business index (World Bank)
    Russia: 106th out of 178
    Nigeria: 108th out of 178

    Economic freedom index (WSJ / Heritage Foundation)
    Russia: 120th out of 171
    Nigeria: 131st out of 171

    Global peace index (IEP)
    Russia: 118th out of 121
    Nigeria: 117th out of 121

    The economies of both countries rely mostly on export of natural resources, primarily oil and gas.

    If you thought that Brin was joking when he said that "Russia is Nigeria with snow", then you were wrong. He actually meant precisely what he said, and numbers back it up.

    Oh, and in case someone might want to attack me as an "ignorant American clueless of other countries", I'm Russian.