Microsoft to warn email users of suspected hacking by governments
Microsoft said it will begin warning users of its consumer services including Outlook.com email when the company suspects that a government has been trying to hack into their accounts. The policy change comes nine days after they were asked why they had decided not tell victims of a hacking campaign, discovered in 2011, that had targeted international leaders of China’s Tibetan and Uighur minorities in particular. According to two former employees of Microsoft, the company’s own experts had concluded several years ago that Chinese authorities had been behind the campaign but the company did not pass on that information to users of its Hotmail service, which is now called Outlook.com. In its statement, Microsoft said neither it nor the US government could pinpoint the sources of the hacking attacks and that they didn’t come from a single country. The policy shift at the world’s largest software company follows similar moves since October by Internet giants Facebook and Twitter and most recently Yahoo. (Reuters)
Corporate Reputation
50+ companies being investigated or punished for Indonesia’s haze crisis
More than 50 plantation companies are being punished or investigated by the Indonesian government for fires linked to the choking haze that polluted skies across Southeast Asia this fall. Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya announced that 23 companies — mostly plantation firms that produce wood fiber for the pulp and paper industry — have been punished to date. Three companies lost their operating licenses, forcing them to shut down, while 16 had their licenses suspended and four are on probation. Another 33 companies are being investigated. The Indonesian government only released the initials of the companies, but The Straits Times noted three Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) suppliers — Mega Alam Sentosa, Bumi Mekar Hijau (BMH) and Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industry (SWI) — as being on the list. The sanctions may not be the end of the legal woes for the companies. The Singaporean government has said it plans to take action against firms linked to haze-causing fires, which triggered widespread hospitalisations and may have caused upward of $16 billion in economic losses, according to an estimate from the World Bank. (Eco-Business)
Regulation
UK draws line under ‘banker bashing’ after scrapping assessment
A review of Britain’s banking culture has been withdrawn by the UK’s financial watchdog only months after its launch, in the latest sign that the years of “banker bashing” are coming to an end. The Financial Conduct Authority has abandoned its assessment of culture at retail and wholesale banks operating in the UK, saying each company is unique and cannot be easily compared, according to people familiar with the situation. The move to scrap the review comes after Martin Wheatley, the watchdog’s chief executive, was defenestrated by the Treasury in the summer and reflects a more positive tone towards the City of London following the Conservative party’s election victory. Banking culture has come under fire since the financial crisis over foreign exchange and Libor rate-rigging scandals that have led to multibillion pound fines. Mark Garnier, a Conservative MP and member of the Treasury select committee, said that it was “disappointing” that the watchdog had stopped its review so early. Labour MP John Mann said it was “unacceptable” that the review has been dropped. “As far as we know, the culture hasn’t changed yet — that’s very clear to people. Cultural problems were fundamental to the financial crisis and remain fundamental now. Lessons haven’t been learnt,” he said. (FT)*
Supply Chain
First UK public sector consortium to make Modern Slavery Act statement
The London Universities Purchasing Consortium (LUPC) has become the first UK public sector consortium to publish a statement concerning the steps it has taken to guard against human rights abuses and modern slavery in its supply chain. LUPC has made the move despite its annual turnover being below the legal £36 million threshold at which firms will have to report under the Modern Slavery Act. The organisation said: “LUPC is committed to improving transparency in its supply chains and acquiring goods and services for its members without causing harm to others.” In its statement LUPC identified the principal risk categories in its supply chains as office supplies, laboratory consumables, ICT equipment and some estates services, such as cleaning and security services. LUPC said many suppliers in higher risk categories have committed to the Base Code of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and it was trying to persuade its remaining suppliers in these categories to join them. LUPC Director Andy Davies said: “We all have a contribution to make in eradicating child labour, excessive working hours, unsafe working conditions and a range of other issues… We hope more organisations will now follow suit and join this global campaign.” (Supply Management)
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