Two giants of global IT are looking to sue the US Government over its denial to let them tell the public what they are forced to do.

Microsoft and Google have wanted to disclose their relationship with US Government technological spying regimes since evidence of their existence was leaked by former security contractor Edward Snowden.

Microsoft General Counsel & Executive Vice President, Legal & Corporate Affairs, Brad Smith says the company’s negotiations with the government over permission “…to publish sufficient data relating to Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders” have waned. Now, Microsoft and Google both will proceed with litigious attempts to seek permission from the FISA court.

Smith says the government has dragged out the process by applying for six separate extensions on its reply to permission sought in June to disclose the information. Both Microsoft and Google say they have a clear constitutional right to do so, which they believe is being denied.

The FISA court operates under such a thick veil of security that it is often considered a go-to rubber stamp for approval of any government activity without ensuing accountability.