Microsoft Offices in China Being Raided *Update*

[GoodBytes]

Microsoft have their offices in China being raided by Chinese officials. The company is saying it is cooperating with the government officials.
The affected offices are the ones located in: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.



It is unclear why the raid is happening. We do know that the China and Microsoft relation in the recent times have been difficult since the U.S is banning Chinese companies from selling some products in the U.S, and China is doing the same with Microsoft.

It is unclear if this event will impact XBox One lunch in China, which is expected to be soon.
 

According to Neowin, four of Microsoft's offices were raided by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce in China as part of an official investigation.

The four offices were located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

While it remains unclear as to why the raids are taking place, some speculate that it has to do with China's mistrust in Microsoft's relationship with the U.S. government.

In fact, Microsoft's close ties with the U.S. government are why China banned Windows 8 from official use. Microsoft tried to deny these allegations in June, but it appears that relations remain tense between Microsoft and China.

Microsoft said it's cooperating with the government officials in China.

Microsoft is among the companies accused by Chinese officials as conspiring with U.S. spying, which was conducted by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). Further, China isn't happy about Microsoft's decision to end support for most SKUs of Windows XP.

Currently, roughly 50 percent of Chinese computers run Windows XP, which is well above the global consumer average of about 25 percent.

Source: http://www.dailytech.com/Report+Microsofts+Chinese+Offices+Raided+/article36295.htm

News Update

 

More information has been revealed by The Verge.

The reason for the raid, giving by the Chinese government officials is due to monopoly allegations due to complaints from other Chinese companies about Windows and Office software compatibility, including the stop of Windows XP support. The government officials where also seeking for Microsoft’s security features of Windows and the way it bundles software.
 

 

China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) has revealed that around 100 officials made unannounced visits to Microsoft’s offices in China, seeking information on Microsoft’s security features and the way it bundles software. Microsoft was quick to issue a statement yesterday when news of the raids broke, noting that the software maker would "actively cooperate" with the government.

China’s investigation appears to have been prompted by complaints from rival companies over the past year about compatibility issues with some of Microsoft’s Windows and Office software. Officials have spoken to senior Microsoft employees and copied data, contracts, and financial reports as part of the raids. China’s move to investigate Microsoft follows recent pressure on US technology companies from the Chinese government over security concerns related to NSA spying.

Source: http://www.theverge.com/2014/7/29/5947551/microsoft-china-offices-raided-anti-monopoly-investigation

[TheEpicCanadian]

I didn't know Barnacules knew the Chinese police

[Guest]

They probably found out that Barnacules was fired.

Even the Chinese are upset.

[spwath]

ok. weird

[EChondo]

Oh, the physical offices are being raided, I thought it was the software

[APrettyCoolWalrus]

lol release all of the copies of windows nine

[TheKDub]

- Snip - 

[TheKDub]

Oh, the physical offices are being raided, I thought it was the software

 

Help help! china is raiding microsoft office!

http://imgur.com/437eW69

[mr moose]

I don't know whats scarier, the US government or the Chinese. 

[pk-man]

Word on the street is that the Chinese government want access to some of Microsoft's data servers. The outlook of Microsoft's plan to excel in the Chinese market may be in limbo.

[dalekphalm]

Word on the street is that the Chinese government want access to some of Microsoft's data servers. The outlook of Microsoft's plan to excel in the Chinese market may be in limbo.

You missed the quote that the Publisher refused to release. You know, the one with that one note inside?

[Imaginaerum]

I don't know whats scarier, the US government or the Chinese. 

 There's no way MS is stupid enough to do anything that would get raided in America in the first place, while China can go "hm I want to raid you today SEND THE POLICE."

[mr moose]

 There's no way MS is stupid enough to do anything that would get raided in America in the first place, while China can go "hm I want to raid you today SEND THE POLICE."

 

So whats scarier then, a government that just takes control and does what it wants, or a government that takes control and just does what it wants?  I am seeing very little difference between socialist control and corporate control.

[SpaghettiCarbonara]

I don't know whats scarier, the US government or the Chinese. 

 

I think the difference for us Aussies is that if the US wanted to arrest one of us for some stupid reason (e.g. piracy or even something made up), we'd get sent off to the US straight away and never seen again.

 

If China tried that, they'd probably get told to fuck off

[Imaginaerum]

So whats scarier then, a government that just takes control and does what it wants, or a government that takes control and just does what it wants?  I am seeing very little difference between socialist control and corporate control.

Are you kidding, the Chinese just move in and slap everybody. The US sneak a bug onto unencrypted lines but they can't actually do anything. I'd be more afraid of the Chinese.

[totjup5]

Not really surprising. The Chinese government is pretty intrusive.

[mr moose]

Are you kidding, the Chinese just move in and slap everybody. The US sneak a bug onto unencrypted lines but they can't actually do anything. I'd be more afraid of the Chinese.

 

I'm sure there are plenty of Americans with differing opinions on this, but last time I read a thread about the NSA, net neutrality  or the government deciding they should be able to collect digital data on their citizens without a warrant it all amounted to the same thing. Basically  corruption at a higher level that effects the citizenry and the citizenry have no say. 

[StingBull]

Are you kidding, the Chinese just move in and slap everybody. The US sneak a bug onto unencrypted lines but they can't actually do anything. I'd be more afraid of the Chinese.

I beg to differ. With China you know what you get. With US it is all secrets.

[GoodBytes]

More information:

The Verge reports that the reason for the raid, giving by the Chinese government officials is due to monopoly allegations, and the government officials where seeking for Microsoft’s security features and the way it bundles software.

 

China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) has revealed that around 100 officials made unannounced visits to Microsoft’s offices in China, seeking information on Microsoft’s security features and the way it bundles software. Microsoft was quick to issue a statement yesterday when news of the raids broke, noting that the software maker would "actively cooperate" with the government.

China’s investigation appears to have been prompted by complaints from rival companies over the past year about compatibility issues with some of Microsoft’s Windows and Office software. Officials have spoken to senior Microsoft employees and copied data, contracts, and financial reports as part of the raids. China’s move to investigate Microsoft follows recent pressure on US technology companies from the Chinese government over security concerns related to NSA spying.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/7/29/5947551/microsoft-china-offices-raided-anti-monopoly-investigation

[dalekphalm]

More information:

The Verge reports that the reason for the raid, giving by the Chinese government officials is due to monopoly allegations, and the government officials where seeking for Microsoft’s security features and the way it bundles software.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2014/7/29/5947551/microsoft-china-offices-raided-anti-monopoly-investigation

If I were Microsoft, I would move ALL sensitive Data out of the Country ASAP. China can't raid what isn't there. I know that of course moving all of that info out of their China offices is incredibly inconvenient - perhaps even impossible while maintaining business there, but what is the alternative? Risk the Chinese government getting their hands on detailed information about the security of the most popular OS in the world, used on Million's of US Government computers (As well as governments worldwide)? That's terrifying.

[Imaginaerum]

I beg to differ. With China you know what you get. With US it is all secrets.

Yes a communist government is 100% transparent

[mr moose]

Yes a communist government is 100% transparent

not so much transparent, but definitely consistent and not controlled/paid off by an ambiguous third party. 

[Wulfgar]

not so much transparent, but definitely consistent and not controlled/paid off by an ambiguous third party. 

 

Type of government doesn't matter, they're all susceptible to that.

[Imaginaerum]

not so much transparent, but definitely consistent and not controlled/paid off by an ambiguous third party. 

I don't believe any of those things.

[mr moose]

I don't believe any of those things.

you don't believe corporations buy the votes of your congressmen with donations and personal gifts?