After US prosecutors request of a customer's email stored in Microsoft's data centre in Ireland was granted, the technology company objected and said if upheld,  would violate international laws and treaties.The customer's identity nor the nationality has been identified, and Microsoft is arguing that because the customer's emails were stored in Dublin, a domestic search warrant is invalid.

Privacy campaigners

This case has attracted the concern of privacy groups and United States technology companies, who are already feeling pressure from foreign goverments who fear their citizens' do not have adequate protection in data centers across the United States. Verizon filed a brief on Tuesday in support of Microsoft's objections, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation is working on their own brief to support Microsoft. Other corporations are expected to join on behalf of Microsoft.In Novemeber, the search warrant was granted by a deferal magistrate judge in New York, but Microsoft is pushing for a reversal of the decision in Federal District Court.

Search warrants should apply to online cases

Microsoft argues that rules that apply to search warrants should also apply to online cases, including the standard proof of probable cause and particularity. The Justice Department claims that Microsoft is stretching the law and said internet companies cannot avoid complying with a search warrant by storing data abroad. Oral arguments for the case are schedule for July 31 in front of Judge Loretta A. Preska. Source: International New York Times.