Microsoft president Brad Smith has criticised secret data subpoenas sent by the US Government to cloud providers like his company and Apple.

Smith said gag orders on requests for personal information undermine freedoms and are hurting US technology companies in Europe.

This follows a New York Times report that, during the Trump Administration, justice officials demanded records from Apple relating to two prominent Democrats.

Microsoft also received a confidential request for the personal e-mails of a congressional staffer and both companies came under nondisclosure orders.

Smith said the US Government should change the rules so that people whose data is being demanded can be informed and choose whether to file a legal challenge to the subpoenas.