[Info-vax] OT: Microsoft got its hands on Skype for $ 8.5 billion

[Richard B. Gilbert]

On 5/10/2011 12:16 PM, MG wrote:
> While Skype never ran on any operating system for which I really cared
> (i.e. VMS, IRIX, Tru64, OpenBSD ...), with the non-Windows (e.g. Linux)
> ports already lagging behind, now it has been bought by Microsoft for
> $ 8.5 billion!
>
> For me there's even less reason to still use it and it's yet another
> program I'm going to permanently 'uninstall'... I like VMS PHONE, MAIL
> and regular e-mail better anyway!
>
> In a Dutch article I just read that Microsoft has pledged that they're
> going to 'open up' Skype for 'intelligence agencies'. I'm not an
> American citizen, but isn't it unconstitutional in the USA to spy on
> the citizens? (I know it isn't in the Netherlands, but that's the
> Netherlands.)
>
> --> <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13343600>
> -->
> <http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/may11/05-10CorpNewsPR.mspx>
> --> <http://www.boycottowl.com/Skype>
>
> - MG

AFAIK the U.S. Constitution does not address the subject of "spying on 
the citizens".  The USE of information generated by illegal acts by 
government agents IS restricted.  If, for example, the government taps 
your telephone without a warrant, the information gained, directly or 
indirectly cannot be used as evidence against you.