Google Investors Warn Cloud Data Could Be Used For Spying In Saudi Arabia

At Google's annual shareholder meeting, investors are expected to express concerns about a problematic Saudi Arabia initiative, saying that the company risks offering up sensitive data on a silver platter to Saudi’s top hitmen.

Google & Saudi Aramco Partnership

Investors are concerned about a large cloud computing center that Google is building in collaboration with Saudi Aramco, the country's main oil company.

Google first announced the project in 2020, claiming that it will assist Saudi “customers to confidently grow and scale their offerings in this market.” 

Data Will Be Used for Spying

However, Google's shareholders claim that the Saudi government may use the company's code of conduct, which states, "Don't be evil," to surveil activists, journalists, and other perceived opponents of the kingdom.

Google’s Argue & Explanations

Google attempted to prevent the shareholders' resolution from being tabled at the meeting.

Google stated that it already had strong human rights policies in place. The collaborative effort with Aramco, they added, is part of "day-to-day business operations" that are not subjected to investor resolutions.

According to SEC filings, the Securities and Exchange Commission dismissed that argument and concluded that the resolution must proceed.

Disclosing Facts & Statements

Here are some statements made by Rewan Al-Haddad, who is a campaign director of a shareholder group named SumOfUs. This group SumOfUs is working with dissident investors.

 “The Saudi Arabian government will stop at no end to snuff out anyone who dares challenge their autocratic rule and human rights abuses.”

“Google is sidestepping its own human rights standards in favor of growth and profits, and while that’s not necessarily shocking, it puts the lives of activists and dissidents in the region at serious risk.” 

“A Google cloud center under Saudi’s jurisdiction would basically serve our sensitive data on a silver platter to Saudi’s top hitmen.”