Protesters storm Microsoft data centre construction site in Amsterdam

Demonstrators broke into the construction site of a proposed Microsoft data centre in Amsterdam on 6 November 2026. Al Jazeera and The Verge both reported on the intrusion at the site on the outskirts of the city. The Verge reported that members of the group Geef Tegengas helped organize the protest. [1][2]

The project involves the construction of three 85-metre data centre towers. The Verge, citing Reuters, reported that approximately 100 people entered the construction site. Some protesters scaled a crane to display a banner opposing artificial intelligence, while another banner stated that Microsoft powers genocide. [2]

The protest comes amid local concerns regarding the expansion of technology infrastructure. Al Jazeera reported that residents are concerned the facility will drain local energy and water resources to support artificial intelligence. The Verge noted that the event forms part of a broader wave of protests against data centres across Europe. [1][2]

Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Microsoft had previously joined other major technology companies and environmental groups in a collaborative initiative to establish national guidelines addressing community concerns about data centre expansion. [14][17]