Bill Gates: Secret government data requests should be curbed - CNET

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Monday expressed his support for the company's wish to inform customers about govement requests for their data.

Despite not being an "absolutist," Gates said gag orders should not automatically be imposed when federal agencies seek access to emails and documents. Instead, privacy advocates and law enforcement should collaborate to strike "the perfect balance," Reuters reports him saying at an event hosted by the publication in Washington.

"There probably are some cases where [the govement] should be able to go in covertly and get information about a company's email," he said, adding that Microsoft believes these should be "extraordinary."

Microsoft filed a lawsuit in federal court last week arguing that gag orders stopping it from informing customers about govement requests violate the US constitution.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.