Expanding efforts to protect European democracies from cyberthreats

This year, millions of Europeans will head to the polls to cast their ballots. At the same time, we continue to see efforts by nation-states and others to influence elections in democracies there and around the world. These attacks target not just political campaigns and government officials, but also think tanks and nonprofit organizations that are in touch with government institutions and work on issues related to democracy, electoral integrity and public policy.

Last week, we expanded Microsoft's effort to help defending political campaigns and NGOs from ongoing attacks.

Read more → Microsoft AccountGuard

This past year we've addressed some of history's most important innovations in our Today in Technology series. Our focus is always on what we can learn from the past and apply to today's issues.

Today we look back at more recent history – the past 12 months, to be exact. It was a momentous year for technology, with the phrase "Techlash" commonly used to refer not just to one but several issues which gave the public pause about the role of technology and the tech sector in people's lives. As the calendar turns to 2019, we consider what the last year will likely mean to what will surely be an important new year. Read our list of developments to think about.

1. PRIVACY: Privacy protection deepens in Europe and spreads to the United States

2. DISINFORMATION: The controversy roils social media

3. PROTECTIONISM IN THE PACIFIC: Tech comes between the United States and China

Read the full list

– Brad Smith, President of Microsoft and Carol Ann Browne, Director of Communications