Microsoft, US Far-Right Think Tanks, and the EU: Secrecy Clauses Stifle Data Center Pollution Data
US tech firms, including Microsoft, are accused of lobbying the EU to embed secrecy provisions into law. These clauses reportedly block public access to vital environmental impact data regarding massive data centers.
The argument divides sharply on corporate influence. Critics call it "legal corruption," with 'orel-y' labeling it 'Literal corruption.' Others, like 'Jiral,' argue specialized committees are necessary for complex legislation, while 'Photonic' calls the whole process "legal corruption used by magacorporations." 'randomname' points fingers outward, citing US far-right think tanks coordinating with Big Tech to target DSA rules.
The consensus points to an imbalance of power. The focus remains on the secrecy provisions hiding local data center pollution and energy costs, violating standards like the Aarhus convention, as 'Prof Jerzy Jendrośka' argues. The deep concern is that laws are shaped in private, allowing corporate interests to dictate policy before citizens can challenge it.
Key Points
US tech lobbying secured secrecy clauses regarding data center emissions data in the EU.
The overall consensus is that Microsoft and related lobbyists successfully pushed for these restrictive provisions.
The process of legislation is inherently vulnerable to private corporate influence.
Some argue specialized committees are unavoidable ('Jiral'), while others insist the process is fundamentally corrupt ('Photonic').
Far-right US think tanks are actively undermining EU digital rules (DSA).
'randomname' claims these groups collaborate with Big Tech to weaken EU regulations.
The secrecy provisions violate established international environmental law.
'Prof Jerzy Jendrośka' notes the provisions allegedly violate the Aarhus convention.
The primary goal of the secrecy is to mask local pollution and high energy costs from data centers.
'Tollana1234567' states the secrecy hides negative local environmental impacts.
Source Discussions (5)
This report was synthesized from the following Lemmy discussions, ranked by community score.