Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Brings Protected Data Centers to Europe

Timotheus Höttges, Deutsche Telekom’s CEO, is quoted as saying: “Microsoft is pioneering a new, unique, solution for customers in Germany and Europe”.

Microsoft will only have access to the data if and when it is granted permission by T-Systems, Deutsche Telekom’s subsidiary.

Microsoft has pledged not to access customer data stored in its two soon-to-open German datacentres without the approval of the end user or local “data trustee” T-Systems.

Just as it seemed that Microsoft would cut off its cloud service in Germany, following the privacy concerns that have been lingering as of late, the company has taken another step forward as it looks to safeguard your digital information.

The US group confirmed the point in a separate communique but neither made mention of the espionage revelations that have strained transatlantic ties.

The move is aimed at businesses, mainly in the financial and health sectors, which have been concerned over the safety of their data after former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden revealed a widespread U.S. surveillance programme. With cloud computing and online data storage becoming increasingly common for companies such as Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL), such concerns pose a serious threat to their business model.

Customer data will be stored in two German data centers, Microsoft said.

However recent German media reports have also pointed to sweeping secret cooperation between the NSA and the Germany’s BND foreign intelligence service, and BND spying on German allies.

While Microsoft Windows remains the dominant PC operating system it has lost leadership to Google and Apple in mobile. Speaking at the conference in Berlin, Mr. Nadella ensured its customers that their data will be protected under German Law, and will remain in the country.

The service will likely begin in the second half of 2016, the company said, and is being offered to German customers as well as those elsewhere in the European Union or the four-member European Free Trade Association.