Microsoft, Facing Conservative Pressure, Disavows Religion Bias

Microsoft Corp. signed an agreement to put to rest accusations that it used a litmus test to deny software discounts to conservative faith-based groups.

Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal advocacy group involved in the 2022 overturning of Roe v Wade and landmark cases tied to religious-freedom issues, alleged that Microsoft withheld discounts to ADF itself and to certain other nonprofits, such as groups that don’t hire LGBTQ people for religious reasons and pregnancy resource centers that don’t offer abortions.

Investors represented by ADF planned to use the allegations to urge shareholders to ask Microsoft at its annual meeting on Dec. 5 to prepare ...