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German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

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Re: German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

#61

These people keep acting like they're so clever for figuring this out, yet in reality all they're doing is giving death sentences to European companies by making them unable to use industry standard products.

Not being able to use Office is a death sentence?

If your business processes are based on that: yes. You may argue "adapt your processes" but that's not something that you do within a week. Besides that it's also about exchanging information. Excel is a quasi-standard in some cases. Again you may argue "change that, its ridiculous". Still it's not something that you "just do".

Re: German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

#62

These people keep acting like they're so clever for figuring this out, yet in reality all they're doing is giving death sentences to European companies by making them unable to use industry standard products.

Not being able to use Office is a death sentence?

It's not great for Microsoft...

I have to admit though that O365 is handy for collaboration. I hope we can do something like a LibreOffice-based similar thing that companies can star using as a platform for online collaboration.

Where I work we already have lots of regulations on what we can and what we can't store on SharePoint or work on O365. My job is mostly safe from those inconveniences, but one of my first jobs was to build an asset delivery system that would comply with a number of US and EU regulations on what asset can be delivered to whom from where. Took lots of meetings with legal.

Re: German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

#63
post #49
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well Im european and I can tell you from the inside, it's not the same mindset at all. We dont want to grow companies, in fact we barely give a fuck at all. It s hard to understand for capitalists, and I disliked this mindset so much I moved to Hong Kong, but that s what the people vote for: they d rather have no growth and no Microsoft 365 than put their data there. People in most of Europe are truly convinced finan…

I’m also European. Thanks for the insight. I don’t agree with you. So think about that next time you say “most Europeans”.

I am an European, too, and I do agree with xwolfi. Therefore "most European" is an accurate statement.

Re: German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

#64

These people keep acting like they're so clever for figuring this out, yet in reality all they're doing is giving death sentences to European companies by making them unable to use industry standard products.

Not being able to use Office is a death sentence?

Microsoft 365 is extremely widespread in companies in the EU. Not because they love Microsoft but because this is a relatively simple setup.

Like Google (US) or Zoho (Indian).

I do not know European companies providing a cloud solution easy to deploy (I wild truly be glad to know one).

Re: German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

#65
post #49
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well Im european and I can tell you from the inside, it's not the same mindset at all. We dont want to grow companies, in fact we barely give a fuck at all. It s hard to understand for capitalists, and I disliked this mindset so much I moved to Hong Kong, but that s what the people vote for: they d rather have no growth and no Microsoft 365 than put their data there. People in most of Europe are truly convinced finan…

I’m also European. Thanks for the insight. I don’t agree with you. So think about that next time you say “most Europeans”.

What's funny is that many Europeans I have spoken with from across the continent have the attitude that you come to the US when you are young to make money then retire to Europe to take advantage of the social safety net.

Perhaps not yoir personal opinion, but definitely one that is anecdotally common among white collar workers.

Re: German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

#66

These people keep acting like they're so clever for figuring this out, yet in reality all they're doing is giving death sentences to European companies by making them unable to use industry standard products.

Let me fix that for you: "industry standard products" -> "monopolist's products".

Microsoft spent decades aggressively lobbying European governments and companies to use their stuff. Even if this finding has any short term impact (see the other comments about this point), I find it hard to believe Microsoft wouldn't swallow the pill and simply become compliant. If not - yeah, companies who are entrenched in Microsoft products have to find alternatives, which is gonna cost them significant efforts, but also open the door to more competition. Sounds like a short term problem for European businesses even in the worst case scenario.

Re: German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

#67
post #44

These people keep acting like they're so clever for figuring this out, yet in reality all they're doing is giving death sentences to European companies by making them unable to use industry standard products.

Or it will force the European market to innovate instead of directly sending cash to US Megacorps.

I totally agree with you. I think the EU should innovate more, than just relying on the usual tech giants.

Re: German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

#68

At this points, isn't it pretty safe to assume very few Silicon Valley services conform to GDPR? Another example was shared recently: Shopify is technically illegal in Germany [1] [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33561222

At this point, virtually no digital service - or in fact in business - can be considered to be compliant with GDPR. The reason for this is an ECJ case ruling informally known as Schrems II ( https://www.gdprsummary.com/schrems-ii/ ). That ruling not only invalidated the Privacy Shield agreement, but in fact prohibits the transfer of any data to any company affiliated with a US-based company in any way (including subs…

it's on the EU to negotiate an agreement with the US

Wouldn't it be equally on the US to negotiate an agreement with the EU to maintain the global dominance their tech sector currently enjoys? I don't see a categoric reason why the EU should blink first.

Re: German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

#69
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or it will force the European market to innovate instead of directly sending cash to US Megacorps.

If you think Microsoft is a "US Megacorp" you are tuly underestimating their global reach and ownership.

[deleted]

Re: German privacy watchdogs conclude that Microsoft 365 is incompatible with GDPR

#70
post #7

This will have absolutely zero impact. Everybody knows you must use Microsoft products and if those don't comply with regulations, the regulations will have to change...

It could lead to billions in fines for Microsoft. Up to 4% global revenue - for each EU country.

Ah, multinationals and sovereign states collide.

I doubt the EU can prevent MS365 from being used, and MS can say "we aren't paying a fine here. Ever. Good luck with it."

Who will succeed? No idea.

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