Microsoft sues US over secret demands for customer data

Microsoft sues US over secret demands for customer data

SAN FRANCISCO

Microsoft is suing the government over a federal law that lets authorities examine its users’ email or online files without their knowledge.

It’s the latest conflict between the tech industry and U.S. officials over individual privacy rights. Law enforcement officials want freedom to view a treasure trove of information – including emails, photos and financial records – that customers are storing on electronic gadgets and in so-called “cloud” computing centers.

Microsoft says the U.S. Justice Department is abusing the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act, which allows authorities to obtain court orders requiring it to turn over customer files stored on its servers, while in some cases prohibiting the company from notifying the customer.

Panel OKs parole for former Manson cult member

ACHINO, Calif.

A California panel recommended parole Thursday for former Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten more than four decades after she and other cult members went to prison for the notorious killings of a wealthy grocer and his wife.

The now-66-year-old Van Houten was “numb” after the panel announced its decision after a five-hour hearing at the California Institution for Women in Chino, said her attorney, Rich Pfeiffer.

Trump campaign manager won’t face prosecution

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.

Donald Trump’s campaign manager won’t be prosecuted for battery after briefly grabbing a female reporter’s arm at a campaign event, but prosecutors said Thursday the situation might have been avoided with two simple words: I’m sorry.

State Attorney Dave Aronberg said at a news conference there wasn’t enough evidence to justify bringing misdemeanor simple battery charges against Corey Lewandowski for the March 8 dustup with Michelle Fields, then a reporter for the conservative Breitbart News website.

Although Lewandowski’s act wasn’t criminal, Aronberg said there may have been an easy way to defuse things.

“In a case like this we do encourage an apology. Had an apology been given at the beginning of all this, we could have avoided the whole criminal justice process,” Aronberg said.

Tennessee governor vetoes bill making Bible official book

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam on Thursday vetoed a bill seeking to make Tennessee the first state to designate the Bible as its official book.

Haslam, who considered entering a seminary before deciding to join the family truck-stop business after college, said in his veto message that the bill “trivializes the Bible, which I believe is a sacred text.”

The bill had narrowly passed both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly after sponsors said it aimed at honoring the significance of the Bible in the state’s history and economy, as opposed to a government endorsement of religion.

Associated Press