Microsoft Accused of Inadequate Human Rights Due Diligence

Microsoft Corporation has been accused of having a due diligence problem after recent investigations revealed human rights violations in several countries. The company's HRDD practices have been criticized for being reactive and non-transparent, with allegations of complicity in human rights abuses in Israel, China, Saudi Arabia, and the US.

The issue was first raised last year as a shareholder proposal, which received over 26% support at Microsoft's annual general meeting. This year, 56 shareholders refiled the proposal, collectively representing more than $300 million in MSFT shares.

Microsoft's decision to suspend cloud services related to Israeli surveillance has confirmed the inadequacy of its existing processes. The company's investigations are often narrow and reactive, relying on media reporting and public outcry rather than proactive HRDD practices.