The Fair Election Fund (FEF) launched a digital ad campaign this week alongside a report accusing Microsoft of suppressing conservative speech, influencing elections, and compromising national security. The organization’s findings highlight a growing concern over Big Tech’s role in American democracy and its impact on free and fair elections.
The report details political bias within Microsoft’s leadership. Bill Gates, Microsoft’s founder, reportedly donated $50 million to Future Forward USA Action, a “dark money” group supporting Kamala Harris in 2024. President Brad Smith and his wife hosted a fundraiser for the Biden Victory Fund. During the 2022 midterm elections, Microsoft blocked employees from donating to 147 Republican lawmakers, including Senators Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Democrats who had objected to previous elections, however, faced no such restrictions.
Microsoft’s content moderation policies also came under scrutiny. FEF points to LinkedIn’s transparency reports, showing over 147,000 “misinformation removals,” particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Microsoft’s partnership with NewsGuard and the Global Disinformation Index has targeted center-right outlets, raising concerns about biased censorship.
National security risks were another major issue raised. Microsoft’s close relationship with China includes source code sharing and the use of Chinese engineers on federal contracts. FEF warns that these ties could pose a serious risk to U.S. election infrastructure. Microsoft’s opposition to Georgia’s 2021 voting integrity law, despite record voter turnout in 2022, is cited as further evidence of partisan alignment.
The digital ad campaign launched by FEF is designed to pressure lawmakers and regulators to investigate Microsoft. The group is demanding transparency, oversight, and ideological neutrality from the tech giant. The campaign aligns with growing conservative concern over Big Tech’s expanding influence on political discourse and election outcomes.
