The European Union is, for once, reportedly drafting legislation that would meet with approval in the US, seeking to force commercial entities to provide access to data, no matter where it is physically stored.
Reuters reported that the initial push had been to make it compulsory for data within the 28-member political alliance to be covered.
The report came a day ahead of a hearing in a case that pits Microsoft against the US Government, one in which the software firm has already obtained a verdict that it need not provide access to a client's data stored in Ireland.
The government has appealed the case and it is being now heard by the Supreme Court, with a verdict due sometime in June.
{loadposition sam08}The EU's proposal would apply to all nationalities, not just citizens of the bloc with the only criterion being that the data in question should have relevance to an EU investigation.
The proposed law is still being drafted and is expected to be presented to the EU parliament next month.
If it becomes law, a process that could take up to two years, it will override mutual legal assistance treaties.
In May, the EU will put into effect a law that gives its citizens greater control over their online data. The General Data Protection Regulation comes into force on 25 May.