Data center protesters break into Microsoft site in Amsterdam

The activists marched arm in arm before entering the site, with some dancing and carrying placards reading "Screw your data center."

"These data centers are destroying our world. It's becoming uninhabitable because of all the resources they consume. That's why we're here today," said protester Sam van der Beek.

Site owner Pure Data Centres, which plans to invest more than $1 billion (€890 million) in the project, urged protesters to leave safely and discuss their concerns.

Microsoft said it respected people's right to express their views peacefully but did not condone unlawful actions.

Global action

The Amsterdam protest opened two days of planned actions in 16 countries, with the Stop Dirty Data Centres coalition organizing further demonstrations.

Other planned actions include a march in Dublin, a protest outside Poland's parliament, and a demonstration against another Microsoft data center in Denmark.

Opposition reasons

Campaigners say the facilities strain electricity and water supplies, compete with housing and other businesses for resources, and threaten climate goals.

They also raise concerns about job losses and the concentration of power in technology companies.

The coalition said it was not calling for existing data centers to close, but wants governments to establish clearer rules before further large-scale construction proceeds.

Industry scrutiny

Technology companies argue that data centers provide essential infrastructure for AI and cloud services used by businesses, governments, and consumers.

The dispute comes amid growing scrutiny of the industry's expansion, with a Google project in Finland facing a criminal investigation over land clearances.

Italy and Portugal are tightening environmental rules for data centers, while the Netherlands has about 200 data centers planned, under construction, or operating.