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While some technology companies stop working with the Pentagon, Jeff Bezos says that Amazon.com Inc. will not be part of it.
"If big tech companies have to turn their backs on the Ministry of Defense, our country is going to have problems."
Speaking in San Francisco at an event held on Monday on the occasion of Wired's 25th anniversary, the chief executive of Amazon said he was puzzled by the fact that some companies had cut ties with the Pentagon after the dissent of the employees.
"We will continue to support the DoD, and I think we should do it," Bezos said. "One of the tasks of senior management is to make the right decision, even when it is unpopular."
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Amazon
AMZN, -1.55%
has faced internal criticism for some of his work with the US government, including facial recognition software whose critics fear misuse. Another technology giant, Alphabet Inc.
GOOGL, -1.62%
GOOG, -1.61%
Last week, we withdrew from the process of applying for a lucrative cloud computing contract with the Pentagon – for which Amazon is still a candidate – fearing that this would be contrary to the company's principles. Microsoft Corp.
MSFT, -1.80%
employees also urged their company not to bid for military contracts, citing ethical reasons. And during the summer, Alphabet's Google announced that it would not renew a Pentagon artificial intelligence contract that could be used for life-threatening purposes, after employees had voiced their concerns.
But Bezos said technology companies can not leave the government because of their political differences. "I know everyone is in conflict over the current politics of this country," he said. "It's a big country and it must be defended."
Bears' private space company, Blue Origin, recently won a major contract with the government for the supply of rockets for Pentagon satellite launches.
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