Wikileaks: Microsoft aided former Tunisian regime

[LeighAnn]

Source: ZDNet (UK)

Microsoft provided IT training to law enforcement officials in Tunisia while the country was governed by a repressive regime, embassy cables published by Wikileaks show.

According to a cable sent by the US embassy in Tunis on 22 September, 2006, Microsoft was so keen to get the Tunisian government to drop its policy favouring open-source software that it agreed to set up a "program on cyber criminality" to cover training. The deal also entailed the company giving the Tunisian regime, headed by President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, the original source code for Microsoft software.

The cable was made public last week by Wikileaks as part of a massive and largely accidental publication of unredacted US embassy messages. In it, embassy officials told Washington there was a risk the training could be used to further oppress the Tunisian people.


"Through a program on cyber criminality, Microsoft will train government officials in the Ministries of Justice and Interior on how to use computers and the internet to fight crime. As part of this program, Microsoft will provide the GOT with original source codes for its program," the cable read.



Read more: http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security/2011/09/05/wikileaks-microsoft-aided-former-tunisian-regime-40093837/

[TacticalPeek]

1. A link.

Link

[LeighAnn]

9. Oops! Sorry!

Thank you!

[SoapBox]

2. It never, ever fails to amaze what these mega-corporations are up to...

amazing.

[gtar100]

3. Good to know the truth!

Our form of economics won't advance in any real way until we overcome the idea that the first priority of any corporation is its self-interest in making profit. That's just the worst instincts of human nature codified. The real priority should be that corporations exist to provide for the needs of humanity and all life in a manner that is sustaining for generations to come. If we'd filter our decisions through this model, instead of the notion of profit only, we'd come out with very different policies and procedures. Only a government could enforce and regulate such a model. And we'd have to piss off a whole lot of wealthy, privileged individuals and families in the process of change. But our current model is clearly headed for a head-on collision with mother nature's limitations.

[radhika]

4. Wikileaks is the only source I trust anymore....n/t

[AverageJoe90]

5. Frankly, I'm not sure I can agree 100%.

Granted, there really are some truly decent people in there, but sadly, there's just as many crooks as well; Joran Jermas(aka "Israel Shamir" ) & Johannes Wahlstrom just to name a few.

[tcaudilllg]

6. Did we need any more proof

that Bill Gates is the devil?

[No Elephants]

7. And he and Warren Buffet are best buds and Buffet will leave his money for the Gates's to disburse.

Go figure.

I'd never leave my billions in the hands of the Gates's. Then again, I don't have billions.

[Arctic Dave]

8. I wonder if it has dawned on people in the Middle East and Africa that

they are wanting the same people who are helping to oppress them to save them?

This entire "awakening" is starting to look like the ending of "Goodfellas" when DeNiro is whacking everyone who had a hand in the big score. Maybe our "friends" in the area should start unloading some info for their own safety.

[vminfla]

10. And?

Microsoft threw in some free training so the Tunisian Government would buy more copies of Windows and Office? How is this any different than the car dealer throwing in the car mats for you to buy the car?

There is a lot of speculation on what "evil" thing Microsoft may have done. At the end of the day, all that I can find is that Microsoft provided some basic administrative training that the Tunisian government could have received from any competent reseller or training center.