A group of Alphabet shareholders is pressuring the technology giant to explain how it manages and controls the use of its technology and cloud services by governments for surveillance purposes. This follows the company's rejection of investor calls for enhanced disclosure.
In a letter addressed to Alphabet, the investors requested a meeting with management after the Google parent company opposed a shareholder resolution that sought a report on how the firm oversees related risks. The sustainable investment director at Zevin Asset Management, which drafted the letter, stated, "Cloud services represent a growing sector that is becoming increasingly militarized. We have not observed rigorous controls over interventions in high-risk environments."
The letter was signed by 42 institutions and 14 individuals, collectively managing assets totaling $1.15 trillion and holding approximately $2.2 billion in Alphabet shares. The investor action reflects concerns regarding Alphabet's involvement in Project Nimbus, its services to U.S. immigration authorities, and its operations in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the Pentagon has confirmed plans to expand its use of Google's Gemini AI model.
Investors indicated that their concerns intensified after Alphabet revised its AI principles in 2025, removing explicit language that restricted certain weapons and surveillance applications. They also warned that misuse of technology could expose Alphabet to litigation, regulatory actions, or substantial fines.
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