“How is that supposed to boost security?” Microsoft asks

Dec 5, 2016 10:19 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft, Intel, and IBM are three of the most vocal companies that opposed China’s plans to access proprietary source code of software and technology products in order to make sure that they’re hackerproof or do not include backdoors.

In particular, Microsoft explains that providing access to source code contradicts the idea of boosting security, with the other tech companies also adding that such a thing would only expose their products to rivals or cybercriminals.

“Sharing source code in itself can’t prove the capability to be secure and controllable. It only proves there is source code,” Microsoft said in comments submitted to the Technical Committee 260, which is the national cybersecurity standards body that’s pushing new laws requiring companies to share their source codes.

Intel, in its turn, explains that providing access to proprietary source code “would hurt technological innovation and decrease the security level of products,” according to WSJ. The new regulations will come into effect in June 2017.

Apple also rejected request for code sharing

Microsoft itself explains that it has already created a Transparency Center in Beijing that allows interested parties to have a look at its code, but the firm emphasizes that sharing source code can compromise security and put products at risk.

This isn’t the first time China seeks access to proprietary source code of products developed by foreign companies, and Cupertino-based Apple revealed earlier this year that it received such a request from the country for its iOS mobile operating system. Apple rejected the request, the firm revealed.

Most companies already operate in China with local joint ventures, and the Journal writes that they “are typically reluctant to publicly challenge Chinese policy.”

Although China is pushing for new cybersecurity rules that would force the likes of Microsoft and IBM to share proprietary source code, the companies are unlikely to respond very aggressively and analysts do not expect them to threaten with leaving the country should these laws come into effect.

China continues to be one of the largest technological markets worldwide and companies obviously want to make the most of this opportunity, but this dispute between tech firms and Beijing is unlikely to end here, especially because the June deadline is approaching.