Why it matters:
The protest follows explosive revelations that Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform used by Israeli military intelligence for mass surveillance of Palestinians. It also proves that people in various parts of the world are showing their anger over the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
The big picture:
The Guardian and other investigative outlets reported that Israel’s Unit 8200 used a segregated section of Microsoft Azure to archive millions of phone calls from Gaza and the West Bank. These data were used to identify bombing targets and manipulate civilians. Microsoft has launched an external investigation led by Covington & Burling, acknowledging the seriousness of the claims.
It is a turning point in employee activism within 'Big Tech', as internal dissent grows over the use of corporate technologies in military genocide in Gaza by Israel. The protest at Microsoft’s headquarters included symbolic installations such as tents, black shrouds, and banners reading 'Stop Starving Gaza'.
Key Points
- Protesters renamed the plaza outside Microsoft HQ “The Martyred Palestinian Children’s Plaza”.
- The company has promised to publicly release findings from its external review.
- Activists have dismissed Microsoft’s previous internal review as a “PR stunt” and demand immediate termination of contracts with the Israeli military
Go deeper:
Ongoing Genocide in Gaza Prolongs Protest in London; Gathering Outside Israel Embassy
Neda Sajjadi - ahmad shirzadian
