Angered by what they perceive as the tech giant’s policies on technology innovation, Dutch farmers are taking drastic measures to get the attention of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. The farmers have launched a series of protests throughout the Netherlands, bringing along tractors and farm animals to drive home their dissatisfactions.
The farmers have accused Microsoft of following regulations on crop and livestock technology that would stifle innovation and potentially cripple the country’s agricultural industry. According to the farmers, Nadella and other Microsoft executives are only interested in profiting from Dutch farmers’ hard work as a result of Microsoft’s “inadequate” regulations.
The protests began earlier this year, when Dutch farmers met up outside Microsoft offices in several cities across the country. During the protests, the farmers carried signs with slogans like, “Don’t let Microsoft steal our future!” They also wore yellow scarves and laid out hay bales in the entrance of Microsoft’s headquarters, in protest of the company’s regulations.
The regulations in question come from the National Digital Infrastructure Program (NDIP). The NDIP, which was announced in 2018, outlines a series of rules that all Dutch tech companies must follow when creating innovative digital products, including software and hardware. The regulations are designed to ensure that new technologies are not just developed by big companies, but instead are available to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
However, according to the Dutch farmers, Microsoft’s regulation plans would significantly hamper the ability of Dutch agricultural entrepreneurs to capitalize on their technological innovation. Specifically, the regulations would impose restrictions on the use of drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are essential to the success of modern farming.
The Dutch farmers are accusing Microsoft of not taking their concerns seriously, and they vow to continue their protests until they feel they have been heard. The protests have so far been peaceful, but some fear that things could turn aggressive if Microsoft does not take steps to address their grievances.
Ultimately, the Dutch farmers are hoping their protests will bring attention to the issue of technology regulation and the impact it has on innovation in the agricultural industry. They are also sending a message to Microsoft and its leader, Satya Nadella that their anger is real and that something needs to be done to address the concerns of the farmers. Whether or not the attention of the tech giant will be caught remains to be seen.
