IBM Denies Links to NSA Spy-Gate

IBM (IBM) is the latest IT heavyweight to deny any linkage to the U.S. National Security Agency’s (NSA) spying program, going so far as to say it has never provided any customer information to federal agencies, placed any back entries into its products or offered up software source code or encryption keys for access to customer data as others have been accused.

Robert C. Weber, IBM’s Legal and Regulatory Affairs senior vice president, wrote in a blog post that “clients have asked us questions about their data—how best to secure it, where to locate it, and how we would respond should governments request access.” (Editor’s note: Weber uses “clients” to refer to customers, not technology.)

Owing to the nature of IBM’s enterprise business model, any government agency showing interest in IBM’s customer data would be referred to the customer, Weber wrote.

“Our client relationships are governed by contract, with clear roles and responsibilities assigned and clearly understood by all parties,” he wrote. “To the extent our clients provide us access within their infrastructure to the type of individual communications that reportedly have been the target of the disclosed intelligence programs, such information belongs to our clients.”

Weber then proceeded to lay out IBM’s four-point customer data privacy and security policy:

Weber also offered up three IBM recommendations “to restore trust.”

“Data is the next great natural resource, with the potential to improve lives and transform institutions for the better,” wrote Weber. “However, establishing and maintaining the public’s trust in new technologies is essential. IBM is committed to being a responsible participant in this discussion and a strong advocate for our clients.”