Microsoft ditches Internet Association, a major lobbying trade group

The Internet Association, an marry to Microsoft'south lobbying goals for many years, is now losing the tech behemothic equally a member. The group, founded in 2022, still has Google, Amazon, and Meta/Facebook on the party roster, just Microsoft and Uber are no small-scale loss.

The news comes from Axios, which reported that the Windows xi maker is done with IA for the time existence.

The Net Association's Christina Martin, its global communications and public affairs senior vice president, kept her comments on the matter brief. "It is always unfortunate to lose a member, just business concern decisions related to fourth dimension and resource are to exist respected," she said. She added that IA hopes Microsoft and Uber volition rejoin at some point.

Meanwhile, Microsoft kept its comments even lighter. "We advocate for public policies that support our business organization goals," a Microsoft spokesperson told Axios. "As our business needs evolve, we periodically review merchandise clan memberships to ensure alignment with our policy agenda."

Not long ago, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appeared on Bloomberg Television. During his time in that location, he was asked if Microsoft's lobbying efforts were how it avoided the increasing legal scrutiny haunting Large Tech companies. He provided a simple explanation: That Microsoft was "on the right side of history."

The unspoken implication there may have been that Microsoft did non need all-encompassing lobbying activity to maintain its success. And, based on today's news, it appears such an implication may indeed exist representative of a portion of the situation. However, the Internet Association isn't the only egg in Microsoft'southward handbasket, so ditching information technology doesn't mean Redmond is entirely on its ain.

An internet connection will soon be required when setting up Windows 11 Pro

UH OH

An internet connection will shortly exist required when setting up Windows 11 Pro

Microsoft has appear that later on this year, users will be required to connect to the internet and sign-in with a Microsoft Account during the out of box setup experience on Windows eleven Pro. Microsoft has already been enforcing this requirement on Windows eleven Abode since launch last October, and Windows eleven Pro is now expected to follow suit soon.