Posted by Brendon LynchChief Privacy Officer, Microsoft
I spent last week in Brussels with privacy regulators and practitioners from around the world, many of whom were there for the IAPP European Data Protection Congress. It’s an important time for privacy globally, and I want to share a few of my insights from the week (including my keynote address to the conference and a separate event we hosted on transatlantic privacy) and how they apply to what we’re doing to advance privacy at Microsoft.
We kicked off the week with our most recent @Microsoft Conversations on privacy. Our EMEA Director of Privacy Policy, Jean Gonié, moderated a panel discussion on developments in transatlantic data protection. The panelists included Marielle Gallo, Member of European Parliament, Rapporteur of JURI Committee on Data Protection Regulation; David Vladeck, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission; and Jerôme Déroulez, Justice Counselor, French Permanent Representation to the European Union.
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Posted by Peter CullenChief Privacy Strategist, Microsoft
A privilege of working at Microsoft is being able to glimpse into the future of information technology and envision ways that society can reap the considerable benefits of Big Data— the collection, management and analysis of data on a massive scale. But this privilege also comes with responsibilities, including an obligation to help ensure strong information privacy protections. Getting this balance right is crucial not only for Microsoft and our peers, but also for policymakers, regulators, industry, educators, and, most importantly, individuals.
About two months ago, I wrote about a series of discussions that we convened to advance a global conversation aimed at generating shared ideas and new thinking in support of alternative approaches to privacy protection. Today, I am happy to share a summary report of these discussions, written by Fred Cate, Distinguished Professor and C. Ben Dutton Professor of Law, Maurer School of Law, Indiana University and Viktor Mayer-Schönberger, Professor of Internet Governance and Regulation, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford.
Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post from Ben Cohen, MBE, Founder and Chairman, Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation.
As a professional athlete and rugby World Cup champion, I thought I knew what my future would hold. My Uncle George had also been on a World Cup team, winning the football (soccer) honor for England in 1966. Sports would continue to define me, as it always had. So I thought.
Then, in early 2011, just after being honored as Player of the Year, I hung up my boots and retired for a cause, founding the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation. A lot of people around me thought I had lost my mind. Why this cause? Why now?
Posted by Fred HumphriesVice President, U.S. Government Affairs, Microsoft
All the signs are pointing toward a growing consensus – high-skilled immigration is critical to our nation’s economic recovery. Now is the time to act on high-skilled immigration reform to further drive this recovery. Through government data, academic research and the frontline experience of companies across the country in a range of industries, there is a clearly established shortage of American workers with the science, technology and math skills needed to fill the new high-skilled and high-paying jobs being created across the country.
Today, Microsoft is encouraged by the bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives to pass HR 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012.This bill will make up to 55,000 critically needed visas available to foreign national graduates of U.S. universities who have earned an advanced STEM degree.
While this is a positive step, further reform is needed to address our nation’s high-skilled immigration challenges.
Posted by John Seethoff, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel & Bill Koefoed, General Manager of Investor Relations
As a technology leader, Microsoft is committed to supporting and adopting new technology applications that enhance the company’s operations, provide value to its shareholders, and promote forward-thinking corporate governance practices.
This year, in conjunction with our upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in Bellevue, Wash. on Nov. 28, Microsoft will host a Virtual Shareholder Meeting so that shareholders of record can vote and ask questions online during the meeting in real time. We value input from all our shareholders and feel it is important to offer those who cannot attend the annual meeting in person an opportunity to participate.