US court sticks to landmark e-mail ruling

AN EQUALLY divided federal appeals court refused to reconsider its landmark decision forbidding the US government from forcing Microsoft and other companies to turn over customer e-mails stored on servers outside the US. Yesterday’s 4-4 vote by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan let stand a July 14 decision that was seen as a victory for privacy advocates, and for technology companies offering cloud computing and other services worldwide. But the dissenting judges said that decision by a three-judge panel could hamstring law enforcement. “The panel majority’s decision does not serve any serious, legitimate, or substantial privacy interest,” Circuit Judge Jose Cabranes wrote in dissent. Peter Carr, a spokesperson for the US Department of Justice, said: “We are reviewing the decision and its multiple dissenting opinions and considering our options.” – Reuters