Protesters reportedly broke into a Microsoft data center construction site in Amsterdam and clashed with police.
Dutch authorities said they arrested 150 to 200 people for trespassing.
One protester told a local broadcaster he was trying to stop construction of the data center. according to a report by the Associated Press on Friday.
The report added that Microsoft was aware of the demonstration and responded through a spokesperson: “We understand that people care deeply about the project and we respect their right to peacefully express these views,” they said. “However, we will not tolerate actions that are unlawful or endanger people’s safety.”
A stricter regulatory environment is expected in the US following the recent midterm elections, in which a wave of Democrats promised to do so take stricter action against data centersthat use large amounts of electricity and water, AP reported.
Cointelegraph reported in September that the city of Plattsburgh, New York, held a public hearing to discuss a temporary land use moratorium on operations such as AI data centers and crypto mining.
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