Microsoft deserves most of the criticism it has received over the years, but in this case it deserves a pat on the back.<p>It is not easy to stand up to the US government. Many smaller firms do not have the clout nor the funds to do so.<p>In making this stand, it will hopefully set a legal precedent, to make sure that the USG abide by the rules of international law.<p>Here is the EFF&#x27;s opinion on the matter: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.eff.org&#x2F;deeplinks&#x2F;2015&#x2F;09&#x2F;eff-applauds-apples-refusal-government-demand-imessage-backdoor" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.eff.org&#x2F;deeplinks&#x2F;2015&#x2F;09&#x2F;eff-applauds-apples-re...</a><p>Microsoft are not the only company batlling with the USG over user privacy, Apple (iMessage and other user data) is also making a stand: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nytimes.com&#x2F;2015&#x2F;09&#x2F;08&#x2F;us&#x2F;politics&#x2F;apple-and-other-tech-companies-tangle-with-us-over-access-to-data.html" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nytimes.com&#x2F;2015&#x2F;09&#x2F;08&#x2F;us&#x2F;politics&#x2F;apple-and-othe...</a>