The US government threatened to fine Yahoo if it refused to hand over user data to the National Security Agency. It is interesting that the NSA opted for fine, not criminal proceedings or even kidnapping or blackmailing.
Several years ago, in 2007, the United Sates National Security Agency, particularly the division of radio and electronic intelligence that is also part of the Defense Department demanded Yahoo to provide access to the personal data of its users. However, Yahoo objected arguing the request was “unconstitutional and overbroad”.
“The released documents underscore how we had to fight every step of the way to challenge the US government’s surveillance efforts,” said the company’s general counsel, Ron Bell.
This seems to be a brave move to say 'no' to security officers, especially in the light of the fact that the US government threatened to fine Yahoo $250,000 a day if it refused to hand over user data.
These documents have been unsealed after Yahoo filed a lawsuit against the NSA at the beginning of September 2013. In 2013 Edward Snowden revealed the NSA’s controversial Prism surveillance program.
