By Lisa Stiffler
Publication Date: 2026-03-18 18:50:00
Amid widespread blowback against the spread of data centers, Microsoft on Wednesday announced it is abandoning its practice of secrecy with local governments when deploying new facilities.
“[W]e’ve made the decision that being transparent with the communities where we operate or seek to operate is paramount. This shift is about strengthening public trust, enabling better dialogue, and ensuring that our growth is matched by meaningful engagement,” the company said in a blog post.
The Redmond, Wash., tech giant said it uses non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in early stages of development to protect commercial information, address security needs and navigate regulatory and permitting…