Could GitHub steal source code from private repositories before the acquisition? The question is the same for Microsoft.

As someone who has worked at Microsoft for almost four years, let me explain.

Misconceptions

GitHub was open-source: Then who did Microsoft sell it to? Not the community. It was a for-profit corporation founded by Chris Wanstrath and Tom Preston-Werner. Git is not Github. The former still survives as an open-source tool by the community. Microsoft was a shady-company in 90’s, we don’t trust Microsoft: There’s a difference in monopolistic practices, crushing competitors and outright stealing from them. Anti-trust violations are murkier territory morally and legally- is Google immoral when it shows it’s flight results ahead of Expedia’s, is Apple immoral for forcing me to use Apple Maps with Carplay? These don’t have straight out answers. On the other hand, Microsoft, Google or Apple would be immoral and face everyone’s wrath if they’re to straight out steal data/ assets.

What I can tell you as Microsoft employee