Tech Companies Pledge Not To Aid Governments In Cyberattacks

[Lucian Armasu]

A group of 34 large technology companies pledged to protect users against cyberattacks and not to assist governments in their own cyberattacks against users from other nations.

Tech Companies Pledge Not To Aid Governments In Cyberattacks : Read more

 

[SkyBill40]

Apple is noticeably absent. Interesting.

 

[th3p00r]

How are you not helping your country?

 

[Onus]

If necessary, particularly in certain countries, I am sure Government has ways to compel cooperation.

 

[rinosaur]

Apple missing is surprising, #Israeli Intel missing isn't

 

[Adm1ra1P]

Apple is noticeably absent. Interesting.

As are Google and Amazon whom control an obscene amount of the world's data on their servers on an equally obscene amount of servers.

 

[kilgor98]

I take those 3 absences as meaning they are already working with the government.

 

[SkyBill40]

Apple is noticeably absent. Interesting.

As are Google and Amazon whom control an obscene amount of the world's data on their servers on an equally obscene amount of servers.

Yes, they too are noticeably absent. That's rather telling... and somewhat bothersome.

 

[vern72]

IBM is missing too.

 

[bit_user]

Microsoft and 33 other tech companies took matters into their owns hands and signed the “Cybersecurity Tech Accord,” which has similar goals to the Digital Geneva Convention.

This is hardly comparable to the Geneva Convention. For one thing, where are there any teeth for a signatory to this accord that either makes a discreet exception or decides to withdraw?

The second point is that this has the notable downside of singling out which companies governments should try to infiltrate, compromise, or target their hacking efforts. So, while terrorists, dissidents, and criminals know which IT solutions to prefer, this hardly makes it a slam dunk.

Finally, it should be noted that not all signatories are making the same level of commitment. For instance, Cloud Flare has shown a willingness to drop certain controversial customers (e.g. white supremacists). So, it means something different when they sign this, as compared with a company who provides products without the ability to control who buys it.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Tech companies will do what they are told to do.

 

[bit_user]

Tech companies will do what they are told to do.

Apple didn't cave on unlocking that iPhone. Of course, if the Supreme Court had told them to, they would've.

I'm not saying many/most companies won't be moved, but there are some (particularly security firms) which regard the reputational damage as untenable.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

They had their way into the phone , that was a MYTH.
Governments have the workarounds for all phones.