Microsoft investors call out company for alleged surveillance hypocrisy

Microsoft investors are pushing the company to evaluate if its deportment align with its stated commitments to human rights and racial injustice. Three shareholder proposals were filed this calendar week, and all focus on privacy and surveillance engineering science. The Loma reviewed and shared insights from each of the iii proposals.

The first proposal was filed by Harrington Investments, a firm that focuses on social issues. It calls on Microsoft to "by and large prohibit" sales of facial recognition technology. It also asks Microsoft to disembalm any exceptions to the rule.

Previously, Microsoft said that it would non sell facial recognition technology to police departments until there are federal laws in place regulating the technology.

Surveillance tech's present problems

One of the concerns regarding facial recognition technology is that near systems have "demographic differentials," which tin can accept lower accurateness due to people's age, gender, or race.

In 2022, Jason Ward wrote a piece for us breaking down racial biases and the immaturity of AI technology used for facial recognition.

The engineering science and freedom project managing director of the ACLU of Washington, Jennifer Lee, told The Loma that "if Microsoft is truly committed to protecting our democratic freedoms and continuing for racial justice, it must permanently divest from selling facial recognition engineering science to all regime entities, including constabulary enforcement."

The 2d shareholder proposal comes from the sisters of Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. It calls for a report on if Microsoft lives up to its own human rights commitments.

The proposal points to Microsoft contracts with the New York Police Department, ICE, and the war machine that appear to conflict with Microsoft's stated commitments.

The NYPD's Domain Awareness Systems (DAS) uses cameras, radiological sensors, and automatic license plate readers for surveillance. Microsoft partners with the NYPD on the DAS.

Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, discussed Microsoft'south partnership with the NYPD to The Hill.

"For years, Microsoft has partnered with the NYPD to sell the [DAS], which is likely the single most invasive surveillance organisation in the country," Cahn said. "Microsoft can't claim to take the moral loftier ground on surveillance when it is selling the software that is used to runway millions and undermine ceremonious rights."

The same proposal also highlights Microsoft Azure contracts with Water ice.

Calling for accountability

The final proposal is led by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. It calls for a written report from Microsoft on how the company's lobbying efforts line upwardly with its public stances.

Microsoft suspended PAC donations to members of Congress who voted confronting the certification of electors back in February. That decision was made after several Microsoft employees called out Microsoft President Brad Smith.

The proposal from the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace points to the fact that Microsoft supported several state-level privacy bills that appear to get confronting Microsoft'south stated policies. Information technology also highlights that Microsoft lobbied against a nib that would limit or ban the use of facial recognition technology past governments.

Microsoft did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill.

The next shareholders meeting for Microsoft is in December, though the proposals could exist addressed before so.

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