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Title: Microsoft’s Sneaky Tactics Revealed: Could Elon Musk’s Starlink Follow Suit?
Microsoft has long been accused of using its vast resources to influence government agencies and sway public policy in its favor. New revelations suggest that these claims may not be entirely unfounded, as an investigation by [insert publication] has uncovered evidence that Microsoft provided significant free services and products to government agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), to gain their trust and favor.
According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, between 2019 and 2022, Microsoft donated over $1 billion in software, cloud storage, and other digital tools to various government agencies. While these gifts may have seemed generous at first glance, investigators discovered that they came with strings attached – or rather, sticky labels.
It turns out that these freebies were not just altruistic gestures; they served a much more sinister purpose. Microsoft leveraged its “generosity” to gain exclusive access and influence within the government. This meant that the company could shape policy decisions and secure lucrative contracts without having to compete with other vendors.
The investigation also found that Microsoft used this leverage to push for the adoption of its proprietary technologies, such as Azure, into government infrastructure. By doing so, the tech giant created a self-sustaining ecosystem where its products became the de facto standard for government use.
This raises concerns about the potential impact on national security and the government’s ability to make informed, independent decisions. Critics argue that this level of influence could lead to a culture of corruption, as officials become beholden to Microsoft’s whims rather than serving the public interest.
But what does this have to do with Elon Musk? Well, it seems that Starlink, his satellite internet venture, is taking a similar approach. According to reports, Starlink has been offering free or heavily discounted services to various government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
While these gifts might seem like a minor issue at first glance, they’re actually part of a larger pattern of behavior that echoes Microsoft’s tactics. By providing “free” services, Starlink can gain an inordinate amount of influence within government circles, allowing it to shape policy decisions and secure lucrative contracts.
It’s time for Congress to take notice and scrutinize these deals more closely. The public has the right to know whether our government is being bought off by tech giants like Microsoft and Starlink.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/microsoft-hooked-the-government-on-its-products-with-freebies-could-elon-musks-starlink-be-doing-the-same-2000585799
