Microsoft Azure: Human Rights Watch releases statement on Microsoft's Saudi Arabia plans

Microsoft's new cloud data center region in Saudi Arabia has faced criticism since the tech giant announced its plans in early February. Now, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for Microsoft to suspend its investment in the country until it can "clearly demonstrate" how it plans to mitigate the risk of "facilitating serious human rights violations."

The human rights organization highlighted that the Saudi government has a "well-established" record of infiltrating technology platforms, as well as ongoing domestic oppression, with its data protection and anti-cybercrime  laws facilitating unchecked state surveillance. With this considered, the organization said that it has serious concerns regarding Microsoft's ability to uphold human rights responsibilities while operating in Saudi Arabia. 

"Saudi authorities have grievously violated their own citizens' right to privacy by hacking phones, infiltrating major tech companies, and passing laws granting sweeping surveillance powers to government entities," said Arvind Ganesan, Economic Justice and Human Rights Director at Human Rights Watch. 

"Microsoft should not shut its eyes to Saudi Arabia's abuses and should halt its investment until the company can meaningfully explain how it will mitigate human rights risks," he continued. 

According to HRW, it shared its concerns with Microsoft back in February, and the giant responded by highlighting Microsoft's "commitment to the Trusted Cloud Principles" and its approach for operating datacenters in countries or regions with human rights challenges," however, HRW also noted that the giant requested its "responses remain off-the-record." 

HRW also highlighted that Saudi Arabia's laws and practices fall "far below" international human rights standards, as well as the standards outlined in Microsoft's own Trusted Cloud Principles. Further, it said that Microsoft has a responsibility to respect human rights and that this responsibility exists "independent" of a country's willingness to fulfill its human rights obligations.

"Microsoft should put rights first and not become a tool for Saudi authorities to further spy on people whose data is in Saudi Arabia," Ganesan said.

Microsoft's current plans are to invest $9 billion in the country.

The international human rights organization raised similar concerns when Google announced its data center plans in Saudi Arabia. Ultimately, it ignored the call to halt its cloud region development plans.