Whistleblower: Microsoft is tied to hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign bribes

[gjsman]

Summary

According to a whistleblower, Microsoft is actually tied to hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign bribes, and almost all of Microsoft's leadership knows about it and is complicit.

 

Quotes

Quote

What is a shock: This time around, the SEC and DOJ have both declined to investigate Microsoft over the same types of bribes in the Middle East and Africa. They acknowledged my evidence (which I submitted three times) yet did not take up the case, claiming that the current pandemic has prevented them from gathering more evidence from abroad—even though I have already provided documentation that I believe shows Microsoft is in breach of the 2019 agreement and is still participating in corrupt business practices in direct violation of U.S. law.

Quote

They're promoting the bad people. If you're doing the right thing, they won't promote you.

Quote

“I don’t want you to be a blocker,” he recalls the manager telling him. If he uncovered anything suspicious, the manager said, “You have to turn your head and leave it as is.”

My thoughts

Studying Microsoft's behavior and incompetence over the last few years (particularly with Windows), I'm actually not surprised.

If crap really hits the fan, we could see a repeat of the Lockheed Bribery Scandals that nearly destroyed that company.

 

Sources

https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/25/22995144/microsoft-foreign-corrupt-practices-bribery-whistleblower-contracting

(source The Verge used below)

https://www.lioness.co/post/microsoft-is-using-illegal-bribes-in-the-middle-east-and-africa-why-is-the-sec-turning-a-blind-eye

[mr fobs]

In a week or two no one will have hear of this. It will be forgotten because the people that can spread will be given money to keep quiet. *puts on tinfoil hat* The end of the world is nye.

[gjsman]

Actually, let me add to my thoughts. There is one group that this really gifts, and that's Congress. They've not been the most friendly to tech in recent years, but foreign bribes could become a hot topic for fresh regulations. 

[SupaKomputa]

Bribery is pretty common here in Asia, not a secret. I'm not surprised, it's been that way for too long. A simple "thank you" money can make or break a deal.

[williamcll]

Wow what else is new.

[jagdtigger]

1 hour ago, mr fobs said:

It will be forgotten because the people that can spread will be given money to keep quiet. *puts on tinfoil hat*

Sadly its not tinfoil hat category, and those who wont budge the bribers will express their concerns regarding their family....

[Brooksie359]

1 hour ago, SupaKomputa said:

Bribery is pretty common here in Asia, not a secret. I'm not surprised, it's been that way for too long. A simple "thank you" money can make or break a deal.

I think they prefer the phrasing (additional monetary incentive) instead of bribe. I mean let's be honest aren't most deals a type of bribe to some extent? 

[Arika]

As with all ex-employee whistleblowers, take what they say with a grain of salt. Everything said here could be said about pretty much every large multinational corporation.

 

"Ex-employee sees payments that don't makes sense, concludes they are bribes" just isn't as catchy of a headline.

 

Things they do may break the law in the USA, but some thing ARE the law in the other countries.

[Brooksie359]

1 hour ago, Arika S said:

As with all ex-employee whistleblowers, take what they say with a grain of salt. Everything said here could be said about pretty much every large multinational corporation.

 

"Ex-employee sees payments that don't makes sense, concludes they are bribes" just isn't as catchy of a headline.

 

Things they do may break the law in the USA, but some thing ARE the law in the other countries.

Not only this but the story shows more so that it's employees pocketing money not Microsoft bribing foreign governments. This whole thing seems so exaggerated 

[Arika]

5 hours ago, SupaKomputa said:

Bribery is pretty common here in Asia, not a secret. I'm not surprised, it's been that way for too long.

hearing about some of the monetary cultural things in japan absolutely blows my mind.

 

Quote

Reikin ("gratitude money") is a mandatory payment to the landlord that is often the same amount as the original deposit. However, reikin can be the equivalent of six months (or more) of rent, but is typically the same as one to three months of rent. This money is considered a gift to the landlord and is not returned after the lease is ended.

basically money on top of your normal rent and security deposit that is no more than a "thank you for letting my rent your place"

[Quackers101]

*feeling the edge*

[lostcattears]

No Duh, pretty sure all Global companies does this beyond a shadow of a doubt.

[Mark Kaine]

ohnoesanyways.jpg? 

 

ms is way too important for global economics and especially for cyber security as well… as long they dont try to cheat netscape again they're good. : p

 

 

12 hours ago, Brooksie359 said:

let's be honest aren't most deals a type of bribe to some extent? 

yeap, especially the $70b deals for some washed up "development studios" … 

[Doobeedoo]

It's all for Windows improvements.

[Bitter]

While bribes may be expected and normal it doesn't mean it's not a violation of law and the US has a specific law that forbades companies based here from commiting bribery in foreign countries. We are, after all, Team America:World Police.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Corrupt_Practices_Act

It's a pretty straight forward law designed to limit the abuse of US based companies in foreign countries.

Specifically this provision added in the late 80's probably applies to this situation since MS was made aware of allegations and seemingly did nothing.

Quote

The Act was first amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, where Title V is known as the 'Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Amendments of 1988'. It introduced a "knowing" standard in order to find violations of the Act, encompassing "conscious disregard" and "willful blindness." Other amendments were for "bona fide", "reasonable" and lawful gifts under the laws of the foreign country.

Am I surprised? Not one bit. Is it illegal? Oh most probably. Will anything come of it? Probably not.

[YellowJersey]

What's this? A global mega corporation is involved in bribes and illegal activity?