============================================================================ From: "Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space" <•••@••.•••> To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;@mindspring.com;;;> Subject: U.S./Microsoft Spying Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2000 18:31:27 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Priority: 3 Sydney Morning Herald US secret agents work at Microsoft: French intelligence Source: AFP | Published: Saturday February 19, 7:44 AM PARIS, Feb 18 - A French intelligence report today accused US secret agents of working with computer giant Microsoft to develop software allowing Washington to spy on communications around the world. The report, drawn up by the Strategic Affairs Delegation (DAS), the intelligence arm of the French Defence Ministry, was quoted in today's edition of the news-letter Le Monde du Renseignement (Intelligence World). Written by a senior officer at the DAS, the report claims agents from the National Security Agency (NSA) helped install secret programmes on Microsoft software, currently in use in 90 per cent of computers. According to the report there was a 'strong suspicion' of a lack of security fed by insistent rumours about the existence of spy programs on Microsoft, and by the presence of NSA personnel in Bill Gates' development teams. The NSA protects communications for the US government, and also intercepts electronic messages for the Defence Department and other US intelligence agencies, the newsletter said. According to the report, 'it would seem that the creation of Microsoft was largely supported, not least financially, by the NSA, and that IBM was made to accept the (Microsoft) MS-DOS operating system by the same administration.' The report claimed the Pentagon was Microsoft's biggest client in the world. Bruce K. Gagnon Coordinator Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space PO Box 90083 Gainesville, Fl. 32607 (352) 337-9274 http://www.globenet.free-online.co.uk
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