Amazon Investigates Three Engineers After AI Data Center Criticism at Seattle Hearing

According to CNBC, Amazon is investigating three engineers earlier this month after they testified at Seattle City Council meetings against the company's AI data center expansion. Five Amazon employees spoke at the hearings in support of a year-long moratorium on large-scale data center construction, which Seattle passed on June 9. Following their testimony, the three workers were separately invited to investigative meetings with an Amazon HR representative, according to a complaint filed with the Seattle Office for Civil Rights on Friday. They were informed the investigation could result in disciplinary action, with one employee told termination was possible.

Amazon spokesperson Margaret Callahan said the company was examining whether the employees spoke as company representatives rather than private citizens, and that it applies policies consistently to all staff. Callahan disputed claims of planned terminations, stating the company does not tolerate retaliatory behavior. The employees are part of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, which has repeatedly criticized the company's environmental and labor practices.