Microsoft To Drop Lawsuit After US Government Revises Data Request Rules (reuters.com)

An anonymous reader shares a report: Microsoft said it will drop a lawsuit against the U.S. government after the Department of Justice (DOJ) changed data request rules on alerting internet users about agencies accessing their information. The new policy limits the use of secrecy orders and calls for such orders to be issued for defined periods, Microsoft Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith said in a blog post on Monday. "As a result of the issuance of this policy, we are taking steps to dismiss our lawsuit," Smith said. The company expects the changes to end the practice of indefinite secrecy orders. Microsoft filed the lawsuit in April 2016 arguing that the U.S. government was violating the constitution by preventing the company from informing its customers about government requests for their emails and other documents.

Comments

The actual link

[XXongo]

The actual link (and not just the two-paragraph summary) is here: https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/?p=55096

It says that there is a "binding policy issued today by the Deputy U.S. Attorney General" but doesn't give a citation to where we can see that policy. And it doesn't tell us what the word "binding" means-- How "binding"? Just until the next time the Attorney General decides to change it?

Re:The actual link

[EndlessNameless]

How "binding"? Just until the next time the Attorney General decides to change it?

I would assume so. It is possible to make rules that are difficult for a successor to remove, but it is usually impossible to make permanent changes---that requires Congress.

If the next AG reverses course, Microsoft (or other companies) could resume their legal challenges if they wish.