Though details are still forthcoming, the Boston Herald is running a story about one Dan Geer, an AtStake, Inc. employee who was apparently fired for co-authoring a report that "warned Microsoft's dominance of desktop computer operating systems poses a national security threat." AtStake, in turn, has called Microsoft to express its disappointment with (i.e., apologize for) the contents of the report.
It's not clear whether AtStake was upset merely with the fact that the report was unfavorable to Microsoft, or whether its decision turned on something more specific. But, if accurate, this story certainly calls into question the objectivity of the company's research. Moreover, the story raises First Amendment concerns. Presumably, AtStake authorized Dan Geer to write a report that accurately reflected his findings and conclusions. Evidently, what the company had hoped for was not an accurate summary of Geer's research results but free advertising for Microsoft. Unless AtStake had directed Dan Geer to write such a positive review, however, it is not clear on what grounds the company can now dismiss him. Predictably, Dan Geer is now considering legal action against his former employer.