NYT: Microsoft is Helping Russia Suppress Dissent

[JMcEntegart]

A recent report in the New York Times suggests that Russia is using Microsoft's strict anti-piracy policy as a way to carry out raids and confiscate computers from dissident groups.

NYT: Microsoft is Helping Russia Suppress Dissent : Read more

 

[zoemayne]

Cisco is doing the same.

 

[Anomalyx]

Wow, that was a totally different spin on the story. From what I read elsewhere, Microsoft just issued a blanket license to those NGOs to HELP them avoid the ridiculous raids. This story says just the opposite.

 

[jhansonxi]

I doubt that M$ is complicit in the raids. If they were then Apple and Linux users would have been the targets.

 

[Guest]

Me: Microsoft is helping the US suppress dissent.


The Microsoft monopoly is one of the biggest threats to personal freedom in modern times, they are very cozy with the Feds who allow them to have their monopoly.

 

[neblogai]

Nothing strange, law enforcement in Russia is exactly like that. Basically, laws are made poorly, often being absurd, to have everyone break them. Such system of "bardak" (chaos) works perfectly. Everyone can be found guilty for breaking some absurd law, and then power structures can deal with a person by their own wishes. Milicia(police) might treat you bad just for fun, but if you are anti-government- special services will come down on you with every tool they need to crush you.

 

[zachary k]

the title makes it sound like bill gates himself is down there in russia kicking down doors.

 

[Stifle]

Bill Gates himself IS down there in Russia kicking down doors. News at 11.

 

[Netherscourge]

In Soviet Russia, Microsoft makes YOU BSOD!

 

[micr0be]

all they had to do was use linux ... problem solved

 

[f-14]

you can't always train and old dog new tricks, but you also can't expect an old dog to forget the old tricks

wtf do you expect, it's RUSSIA, china is worse but only if it hurts china, but... piracy in china is typical and standard business practice, always has been, and i don't see that changing anytime soon. in either case if i'm microsoft, in both of those countries whose piracy of my product is a typical normal problem that's costing me millions of dollars, hell i'd train the ex KGB how to find and what to look for myself. that kind of action has a karma that will come back to bite them in the... as well later on down the line.

 

[intelliclint]

NPR had this to, but they made more of a point of what was at the end of this artical whihc is that MS will give them a blanket licence for any Russian NGO. Basicly Russia will have to find another way to silence those that speak out against the govenrment.

 

[eddieroolz]

I have a hard time believing something along these lines.

 

[tommydyhr]

"unequivocally abhor any attempt to leverage intellectual property rights to stifle political advocacy or pursue improper personal gain. "
¨
I'm from Denmark, and my response to this bit would equal to: "Qué?"

 

[dEAne]

spy then this one, what next.

 

[cookoy]

What? Dissent in Russia? No way. Everybody loves Putin.
Ok now that i said that, can i have my PC back please?
Pretty please?

 

[Guest]

Marriage made in heaven -- big oppressive corporation meets big oppressive regime.

 

[scurvywombat]

The story I heard on NPR had a different spin, that MS was more concerned with the actual distributors of pirated software and really weren't too concerned about little NGO's.

 

[treyking11]

See? Micro$oft IS the tool of the devil. SUCK IT, PC FREAKS!

 

[itpro]

Consider the source. The New York Times ceased being a serious news source many years ago. I put more credence in the National Enquirer than the NYT these days.

 

[alextheblue]

[citation][nom]itpro[/nom]Consider the source. The New York Times ceased being a serious news source many years ago. I put more credence in the National Enquirer than the NYT these days.[/citation]
No joke. Research? Sources? You mean you need some kind of proof before you claim a company is complicit in crushing dissent!? WTFBBQ

 

[danny69t]

[citation][nom]zachary k[/nom]the title makes it sound like bill gates himself is down there in russia kicking down doors.[/citation]

Balmer actually, Steve is out for a while