Google, Microsoft stand with Sony against hackers

Google and Microsoft have joined forces with Sony, using their online might to release “The Interview” film to online audiences despite threats from hackers.

“Of course it was tempting to hope that something else would happen to ensure this movie saw the light of day,” Google chief legal officer David Drummond said in a blog post on Wednesay.

“But after discussing all the issues, Sony and Google agreed that we could not sit on the sidelines and allow a handful of people to determine the limits of free speech in another country -- however silly the content might be."

The Japanese entertainment giant began contacting Google and other companies a week ago to pursue potential for "The Interview" to be made available for streaming to viewers on the Internet, according to Drummond.

"A cyber-attack on anyone's rights is a cyber-attack on everyone's rights, and together we need to defend against it," Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith said in a blog post.

“After substantial thought, we decided to stand up with Sony and work with others to ensure that freedom of expression triumphs over cyber-terrorism,” he said.

Using their platforms as online stages for the film is expected to make Google and Microsoft targets for hackers who hit Sony's film unit with a devastating cyber attack.

“It was essential for our studio to release this movie, especially given the assault upon our business and our employees by those who wanted to stop free speech," Sony Entertainment chief executive Michael Lynton said in a release.

“I want to thank Google and Microsoft for helping make this a reality,” he said.
“The Interview” outraged North Korea by lampooning dictator Kim Jong-Un.
AFP