Microsoft employees protest at HQ over company's ties with Israel
What's the story
A group of Microsoft employees and activists have staged a protest at the tech giant's headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The demonstration was organized by the employee coalition "No Azure for Apartheid" and called on the company to sever its ties with Israel over its actions in Gaza. The protesters pitched tents and declared the area a "liberated zone," before police warned them they were trespassing.
Allegations
Protesters' allegations and Microsoft's response
The protesters alleged that Microsoft's cloud division, Azure, is being used to support Israeli government and military operations. They claimed the platform provides software and data storage to government agencies, which could be weaponized for military campaigns. However, Microsoft has denied these allegations, stating it has not found any evidence of Azure or AI tools being misused in the Gaza conflict.
Investigation
Investigation into Azure's alleged role in surveillance
Despite its denial, Microsoft is facing increased pressure over the issue. Earlier this month, the company announced it had hired law firm Covington & Burling to investigate new reports that Israel's military surveillance agency intercepted millions of Palestinian calls and stored the data on Azure servers. This information was allegedly used to determine bombing targets.
Company stance
Microsoft denies allegations again
In response to the protest, a Microsoft spokesperson said the group of demonstrators was asked to leave, and they complied. The company also reiterated its position on the investigation into Azure's alleged use for surveillance. "Based on these reviews, including interviewing dozens of employees and assessing documents, we have found no evidence to date that Microsoft's Azure and AI technologies have been used to target or harm people in the conflict in Gaza," it said.