Microsoft to Host Data in Germany to Protect it From US Spying

Microsoft has announced that it is to open a number of data centres in Germany, in partnership with T-Mobile owner Deutsche Telekom AG, to offer cloud storage to European customers away from the prying eyes of US intelligence programs. The data centres are expected to be live by the end of 2016 and serve customers within the European Union or member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

“Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every individual on the planet to achieve more,” Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, said. “Our new datacenter regions in Germany, operated in partnership with Deutsche Telekom, will not only spur local innovation and growth, but offer customers choice and trust in how their data is handled and where it is stored.”

Microsoft assures customers that the quality of its cloud storage services – which have come under fire for false advertising following its withdrawal of unlimited data storage from OneDrive accounts due to “user abuse” – will not be affected, only where the data is stored.

“Microsoft is pioneering a new, unique, solution for customers in Germany and Europe. Now, customers who want local control of their data combined with Microsoft’s cloud services have a new option, and I anticipate it will be rapidly adopted,” Timotheus Hottges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom, added.

Further Microsoft datacenters are planned for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands.