A recent report by the Foundation for Freedom Online reveals that Microsoft has actively funded and partnered with initiatives aimed at controlling online content. The company collaborated with the Election Integrity Partnership, which worked alongside the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the State Department’s Global Engagement Center to address alleged misinformation during the 2020 election. Additionally, Microsoft supported the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public.
Transition of Government Officials to Microsoft
The report highlights that several government officials who led censorship initiatives between 2016 and 2020 have since assumed significant roles at Microsoft. These individuals are reportedly advancing censorship efforts within the company. For instance, Clint Watts, a former FBI counterintelligence official and creator of the Hamilton 68 misinformation dashboard, joined Microsoft after it acquired his cyber threat analysis firm, Miburo, in July 2022. He now serves as the general manager of the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center, focusing on “disrupting threats to democracies worldwide.”
Controversies Surrounding Hamilton 68 and Reid Hoffman
Hamilton 68, developed by Watts, aimed to identify supposed Russian influence operations. However, its credibility diminished after internal Twitter documents revealed flaws in its methodology. The report also notes that Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and a member of Microsoft’s board of directors, funded a group that fabricated a Russian influence operation involving over 600 Twitter accounts to support Republican candidate Roy Moore during Alabama’s 2017 special Senate election.
Microsoft’s Hiring of Key Figures in Censorship Efforts
Matthew Masterson, hired by Microsoft in January 2022 as the director of information integrity, previously held roles such as Senior Cybersecurity Advisor at the Department of Homeland Security and worked with the Election Assistance Commission. He was also associated with the Stanford Internet Observatory, a participant in the Election Integrity Partnership, which played a significant role in content moderation during the 2020 election. Masterson is considered an architect of the Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board, established in April 2022 and disbanded shortly after due to widespread criticism.
Implications for Microsoft’s Role in Content Moderation
These developments raise concerns about Microsoft’s involvement in online censorship and its impact on free speech. The transition of former government officials into influential positions within the company suggests a continuation of content moderation efforts that may suppress diverse viewpoints. As Microsoft engages in significant ventures, including a $500 billion artificial intelligence joint initiative backed by President Donald Trump, its role in shaping online discourse warrants scrutiny.
