Somewhere out there, hopefully not in your internet browsing history, is a wealth of information about what you’ve been getting up to online.

No one seems all that sure on exactly who’s allowed to access that information though, and that’s why a Microsoft ruling from earlier this week is being hailed as a victory for those seeking to keep that information private.

The ruling centres on the American government’s desire to access a Microsoft server in Ireland, where the emails of an administrator on controversial narcotics-peddling website Silk Road are stored.

It’s all kind of technical, with this from QZ:

The US government had a search warrant to compel Microsoft to hand over that data, but the ruling means the warrant can’t be used for data stored abroad, even if the company itself is based in the US. “First, this decision provides a major victory for the protection of people’s privacy rights under their own laws rather than the reach of foreign governments,” Microsoft president and chief legal officer Brad Smith wrote in a statement.

It’s not just Microsoft who should be celebrating. The decision means that foreign governments who demand data stored within US borders haven’t been given legal ammunition. That’s a big part of the reason why more than 80 tech companies and privacy groups filed amicus briefs in support of Microsoft.

The battle is far from over though, because around the world laws and bills are being hotly debated in parliaments and courts. That’s especially true in the EU:

Although the ruling is unambiguous about how far the US government may reach in its search for evidence, it remains a stopgap in the face of an increasingly complex global data and privacy puzzle…

Generally speaking, the rules that govern global data flows are a mess right now…it looks like it’ll only be a matter of time before this new framework is hauled before Europe’s highest court again, with a high chance that it will be struck down.

It looks like interesting times ahead for data privacy and that battle for access, but in the mean time you’d be well advised to keep your info safe from prying eyes.

Whether it’s business or private, we trust the team at NEWORDER Industries, providing protection against hacking and industrial espionage.

Let’s be frank, who wants a full list of their Google searches out there for the world to see?

[source:qz]