Microsoft to Open European Data Centres

The shockwaves created by Edward Snowden's revelations about the extent of US government spying continue to be felt across the world. Now Microsoft is attempting to soothe the anxiety caused by the former CIA agent's disclosures, especially in Europe. The company is to build new data centres inside Germany, to store European customers' information.

Under the arrangement, a Deutsche Telekom subsidiary called T-Systems will operate two new data centres on Microsoft's behalf. T-Systems will act as a "trustee" of the facilities, which Microsoft says means its own staff will have no access to the information held there, without the German company's permission. Germany's data protection laws are considered to be among the strictest in the world.

Mike Johnson asked James Vincent at the technology website The Verge how significant he thought Microsoft's move was.