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An agreement between Microsoft and the government of Ben Ali
An agreement between Microsoft and the government of Ben Ali, signed in 2006, raised some reservations of the U.S. Embassy, who asked questions about the consequences in terms of control over citizens, according to a telegram made public. Partnership Agreement signed at a forum of computer giant Microsoft in South Africa in July 2006, "illustrating the Tunisian regime's priorities and the price to be paid for doing business in Tunisia," the diplomatic telegram, sent on 22 September 2006. "In theory, the Tunisian Government to develop the ability to apply the law via the Internet is (something) positive (...), but wonder if this will not increase its surveillance capabilities of its own citizens," reads the telegram . The agreement provided for cooperation in governance, cyber security and intellectual property rights, says the telegram, which highlights the difficulty of obtaining information, despite "repeated requests". Under this agreement, Microsoft would form representatives of the Ministries of Justice and Interior to "use computers and the Internet in the fight against crime", reveals telegram. American company from also to modernize the computer equipment of the Tunisian Government, in exchange for purchase of Microsoft licenses 12,000. Another feature of the contract was that Microsoft's commitment to train people with disabilities to enable them to find a job in the Internet sector, which revealed that Leila Trabelsi, Zine El Abidine Ben's wife Ali, led an association charity for people with disabilities. Microsoft Director of Tunisia, Salwa Smaoui, called the agreement as "winner for all parties" and "as" the Tunisian government, according to U.S. embassy, which emphasizes that the partnership was ended after five years of negotiations.
