Microsoft, Google To Sue Government
Washington: Technology firms Microsoft and Google are set to sue the U.S. government to win the right to reveal more information about official requests for user data in the wake of revelations by Edward Snowden, the Guardian reported.
The companies announced the lawsuit Friday after talks with the justice department stalled.
This is expected to escalate a legal battle over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa), which is used by the National Security Agency (NSA) and other US government agencies to gather data about foreign internet users.
Microsoft's general counsel, Brad Smith, made the announcement in a blog post that complained of the government's "continued unwillingness" to let it publish information about Fisa requests.
Both the firms filed suits in a US federal court in June, arguing that they be allowed to make public more information about user data requests made under FISA.
The tech giants cited the first amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech, to defend corporate reputations battered by Snowden's revelations.
