Microsoft Lets EU Governments Inspect Source Code For Security Issues

itwbennett writes: Microsoft has agreed to let European governments review the source code of its products to ensure that they don't contain security backdoors, at a transparency center in Brussels. The second of its kind, the new center follows on the heels of the first, built last June in Redmond, Washington. Part of Microsoft's Government Security Program, the company hopes the centers will create trust with governments that want to use Microsoft products. "Today's opening in Brussels will give governments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa a convenient location to experience our commitment to transparency and delivering products and services that are secure by principle and by design," said Matt Thomlinson, Vice President of Microsoft Security.

Comments

Re:Can they compile from source?

[hughbar]

Yes, exactly. Being old and cynical that was my thought too. Show source 'A' but compile from source 'B'. Then we'll truly 'experience their committment to transparency' won't we?

The good thing about this is that UK government has made some fairly strong statements about considering open source when purchasing, for example: https://www.gov.uk/service-man... and I think they're a little concerned.

Re:Can they compile from source?

[El Lobo]

Does that apply to your Ubuntu/Mint/Caldera....(add your fav distro here) as well? How can you be sure that the binaries you are using are compiled from the source they are distributing? Or do you compile your distro youself after reviwing every line of code? useful idiot!