This story was originally published byProPublica.
ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom.
The donation puzzled some former officials quoted in the story.
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Inthat investigation, we focused on deals between Microsoft and the Biden administration.
Former Microsoft employees told me the companys offer was akin to a drug dealer hooking users with free samples.
And youll be forced to pay me.
What Microsoft predicted internally did indeed come to pass.
But experts on government contracting told me the companys maneuvers were legally tenuous.
Giveaways circumvent that entire process.
Youre just giving stuff to the government.
You are literally giving of yourself.
Youre not looking for anything.
Youre not taking any money.
The White House donation was just the latest move.
Its unclear what the end game is for Musk and Starlink.
Neither responded to emailed questions.
One portion restricted voluntary services to guard against a supposed volunteer later demanding government payment.
It is unclear whether gratuitous services agreements were in place for Musks giveaways.
The White House and the FAA did not respond to written questions.
Tillipman agreed, saying the risk for ballooning obligations is particularly pronounced when it comes to technology and IT.
Users become reliant on one provider, leading to vendor lock-in, she said.
A source from last years Microsoft investigation recently called to catch up.
Switching from Microsoft to another provider would result in additional time, effort, costs, and performance impacts.
DISA did not respond to emailed questions.
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Two banks say Amazon has paused negotiations on some international data centers.
