Microsoft to open up source code for EU security backdoor checks

Posted on Friday, June 05 2015 @ 11:36 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
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Microsoft has agreed to let European, Middle Eastern and African governments review the source code of its operating system and other software to confirm they don't contain security backdoors. This project is part of Microsoft’s Government Security Program (GSP), it will take place at a transparency center the firm opened in Brussels on Wednesday. The software giant explains this location will give participants the opportunity to investigate the source code in a controlled and secure environment.

The center is the second of its kind, last June, Microsoft opened a similar center in Redmond, Washington. In Europe, participants include the governments of the U.K., Austria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden as well as organizations including the European Commission. Full details at IT World.
The center will give governments the chance to review and assess the source code of Microsoft enterprise products and to access important security information about threats and vulnerabilities in a secure environment, said Matt Thomlinson, Vice President of Microsoft Security in a blog post. By opening the center, Microsoft wants to continue building trust with governments around the world, he added.

“Today’s opening in Brussels will give governments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa a convenient location to experience our commitment to transparency and delivering products and services that are secure by principle and by design,” said Thomlinson.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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