[The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission plans to weaken the right of retail investors to propose proposals, and Microsoft promises to maintain the current threshold for one year] On September 23, it was reported that Microsoft will continue to review shareholder proposals before next year’s annual shareholder meeting. This move is in response to the request of activist Paul Chesser and is aimed at safeguarding investor rights as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to tighten shareholder proposal rules. It is reported that Microsoft will continue to use the threshold for existing investors to submit resolutions, even as the SEC considers related changes - changes that critics say will marginalize groups such as individual investors, religious groups and labor unions that have had a voice for decades.