Microsoft and the European Union Face Off Over Internet Privacy Concerns

By: Seagrumn Smith

Amidst what appears to be a multi-faceted attack by the European Union on Microsoft, the newest angle is the European Commission’s announcement last month that it was considering a formal investigation of Microsoft’s .Net Passport data processing system for possible violations of the European Union Data Privacy Directive. This iBrief explores the European Data Privacy Directive and seeks to explain why the European Commission believes .Net Passport may be in violation of its privacy policies and a case for further investigation.

Cite: 2002 Duke L. & Tech. Rev. 0014