Does Using Skype Authorizing NSA Spying?
A Skype user over at Grain of Salt has discovered an interesting caveat in the “To whom does Skype transfer Your personal information?” section of their privacy policy:
Except as provided below, Skype shall not sell, rent, trade or otherwise transfer any Personal and/or Traffic Data or Communications Content to any third party without Your explicit permission, unless it is obliged to do so under applicable laws or by order of the competent authorities.
[...] Please be informed that, notwithstanding the abovementioned, in the event of a designated competent authority requesting Skype or Skype’s local partner responsible towards such authority, to retain and provide Personal and/or Traffic Data, or to install wiretapping equipment in order to intercept communications, Skype and/or its local partner will provide all necessary assistance and information to fulfill this request. [emphasis added]
So, it seems if the “competent authority” that is the NSA comes asking for a sneak peek at your Skype account, they’ll be welcomed in with open arms.
Memo to self: cancel Skype account
[via Pogo Was Right]
Related posts: (automatically generated)
- Surveillance of Skype Messages Found in China
- “Is My Cellphone Spying on Me?” Eagle Eye DVD Commentary
- Google Bows to German Data Privacy Demands, but Only Germany
- Global Network Initiative Promises to Protect Privacy and Freedom of Expression Online
- Dear Google: Make Security and Privacy the Default in the Cloud
