Public policy engagement

Our commitment

We are committed to open and transparent discussions that advance inclusive economic opportunity, protect fundamental rights, create a sustainable future, and promote trust in technology.

How we engage

Microsoft actively engages with governments, policy makers, and civil society partners across the world to advocate on the important issues impacting our business, our customers, our partners, the communities in which we operate, and the world in which we all live. Our work is grounded in realizing the potential that technology can, and is, delivering, while addressing the strategic areas of concern in today’s rapidly changing environment. These areas include:

• Right to privacy
• Pursuit of a sustainable planet
• Mitigating the risk of cyberattacks
• Expanding access to affordable connectivity
• Ensuring skills for jobs and employability

As a company, we do not:

• Donate to candidates for public office
• Make contributions to any non-candidate or non-party political committees organized under Section 527 of the US Internal Revenue Code, which are formed solely to influence elections
• Make independent political expenditures or electioneering communications, as permitted under the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling
• Allow our trade association partners to use Microsoft funds to pay for independent expenditures or electioneering communications

Employee participation

In the US, the Microsoft Corporation Stakeholders Voluntary Political Action Committee (MSVPAC) is overseen by a bipartisan Steering Committee comprising federal and state government affairs professionals and employees outside of the Corporate and Legal Affairs department, including a member of the employee advisory council. The Steering Committee is responsible for oversight and day-to-day decision making related to political spending, including disbursements from MSVPAC, and permissible employee and shareholder donations made by the program.