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Microsoft slams Google for early ‘gotcha’ bug reveal

Microsoft has hit out at rival tech firm Google for publishing the details of a Windows 8.1 bug.

According to the Redmond-based firm, Google opted to out Microsoft’s software vulnerability just two days before a fix was due to go live.

The move was part of Google’s ‘Project Zero’ scheme, which sees the search engine giant give companies 90 days warning to fix any bugs before publishing details of the security hole.

Microsoft, however, claims that Google was told a fix would be going live as part of the ‘Patch Tuesday’ update, as noted by The Verge.

The tech corporation then went on to say that Google may have endangered customers by publishing details of the exploit before the fix was live.

Chris Betz, senior director of Microsoft’s Security Response Centre, wrote the following in a blog post: “Although following through keeps to Google’s announced timeline for disclosure, the decision feels less like principles and more like a ‘gotcha’, with customers the ones who may suffer as a result.”

He continued: “What’s right for Google is not always right for customers. We urge Google to make protection of customers our collective primary goal.”

Related: Google set to release real-time translation app

This news come as US President Barack Obama today proposes plans to force companies to disclose online breaches within 30 days.

The new legislation would mean that tech firms would need to make known any instances of illicitly exposed data tout de suite, in hopes of improving data security transparency.

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