Microsoft refused police demands for information on a burglary. New Zealand Police obtained a court order to make up Microsoft’s mind on the matter. A report from Stuff.co.nz shows the story began when a man accused of receiving a stolen X-box 360 contacted Microsoft to register the stolen machine and ask for a replacement power cord. Microsoft had the man’s name, address and phone number, but declined to provide the information to police until they acquired a court order.

The New Zealand’s Privacy Act requires private and public companies to reveal information to uphold the law. Microsoft New Zealand product manager Thomas Hunt eventually agreed to offer details to police after Microsoft’s international policy required a court order first saying, “The privacy and safety of customer information was a “huge issue” for the company and the details could not be handed out.”
Police arrested and charged the 14-year-old and two other accomplices.

Retail stores value the stolen merchandise at more than 700 dollars. The report states that a New Zealand based company would have conformed right away, but American-based Microsoft did not have to do so with or without a court order. If the Republicans new “law and order agenda” passes as Microsoft tracks their customers online activities, the government would automatically make them release the information to assist police in future investigations.

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