The landmark case between the Justice Department and Microsoft, which hit the Supreme Court Tuesday, will have major implications for the U.S. government’s access to data and the way that tech companies function around the world today, says Steven Overly, tech reporter at Politico.
“Microsoft is arguing that we’re basically legislating current day technology based on decades-old law,” he says.
“What they really want is to see our laws updated so that it better addresses the technology that we all use today.” For that, Microsoft wants Congress -- not the courts -- to deliberate on the future of data protection.
The case revolves around emails stored in a data center in Ireland. A search warrant in 2013 demanded that Microsoft hand over access to those files because they were pertinent to a drug investigation. Officials cited a 1986 law -- the Stored Communications Act (SCA) -- that was written back before email and international data centers were the norm.
Microsoft refused the warrant, arguing emails stored overseas are beyond the jurisdiction of U.S. warrants in the same way that physical information overseas would be, explains Overly.
“We need 21st century laws to protect 21st century technology,” said Brad Smith, President and Chief Legal Officer at Microsoft, on Tuesday.
“There is only one institution in this country that can balance all of the careful nuances that need to be considered, and that is...the United States Congress,” added Smith.
The case could also have direct consequences for the consumer, Overly told Cheddar.
“What does this mean for how our own government accesses our information and how foreign governments access our information?” he asked.
A ruling in the case is expected in June.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/breaking-down-the-u-s-vs-microsoft-supreme-court-case).
Oracle soars as it cashes in on the AI boom, Plus: Starbucks shares continue to fall under its new CEO, and does anybody actually want a new iPhone Air?
Swedish buy now, pay later company Klarna is making its highly anticipated public debut on the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday, the latest in a run of high-profile initial public offerings this year. The offering priced at $40 Tuesday, above the forecasted range of $35 to $37 a share, valuing the company at more than $15 billion. The valuation easily makes Klarna one of the biggest IPOs so far in 2025, which has been one of the busier years for companies going public. Other popular IPOs so far this year include the design software company Figma and Circle Internet Group, which issues the USDC stablecoin..
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison wrested the title of the world’s richest man from longtime holder Elon Musk early Wednesday as stock in his software giant rocketed more than a third in a stunning few minutes of trading. That is according to wealth tracker Bloomberg. A college dropout, the 81-year-old Ellison is now worth $393 billion, Bloomberg says, several billion more than Musk, who had been the world’s richest for four years. The switch in the ranking came after a blockbuster earnings report from Oracle. Forbes still has Musk as the richest, however, valuing his private businesses much higher.
Aurimas Sabulis, CEO of Dextall, unveils how AI‑driven prefabricated façades slash design time by 80%, labor by 87%, and accelerate affordable housing delivery.
Online broker Robinhood Markets will join the S&P 500 index Online broker Robinhood Markets will join the S&P 500 index as its stock rides higher on a cryptocurrency wave.
