Seven Arrested in Protests Against Microsoft’s Ties to Israel Defense Forces Over Alleged Use of Azure for Surveillance in Gaza
In Redmond, Washington, seven individuals were detained on Tuesday following a demonstration at the office of Microsoft Corporation President Brad Smith. The protest was an escalation of ongoing actions against Microsoft’s ties with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The arrestees included current and former employees of Microsoft, according to No Azure for Apartheid, a protest group that opposes the company’s use of its primary cloud computing platform, Azure, which reportedly facilitates attacks on Palestinian targets as per a British newspaper report this month.
Live footage from Twitch showed the protesters gathered inside the office, with another group assembled outside, as law enforcement moved in for arrests. During a press conference later that afternoon, Smith confirmed two of those detained were Microsoft employees.
Eighteen people were apprehended during a similar protest at the headquarters last week, marking the latest episode in the group’s months-long campaign against the tech giant. In May, Microsoft terminated an employee who disrupted CEO Satya Nadella’s speech, and in April, two others were let go following interruptions of the company’s 50th anniversary celebration.
The protesters have presented a list of demands, urging Microsoft to cut ties with Israel and compensate Palestinians for any damages caused.
This month, The Guardian published a report claiming that the IDF had utilized Microsoft Azure to store data obtained through mass surveillance of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Although Microsoft has engaged an external law firm to investigate these allegations, their terms of service purportedly prohibit such use.
Smith stated at Tuesday’s press conference that ensuring human rights principles and contractual terms are upheld globally by all customers is a priority for the company: “There are many things we can’t change, but we will do what we can and should.” He emphasized their commitment to preventing the misuse of Azure and artificial intelligence technologies.
Earlier in the year, The Associated Press exposed previously undisclosed details about Microsoft’s close collaboration with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, which employs Azure for transcription, translation, and processing of data collected through mass surveillance. The AP reported that this information could be cross-referenced with Israel’s AI-driven systems to aid in selecting targets.
Following the AP’s report, Microsoft launched an internal review, finding no evidence that their Azure platform or AI technologies were employed to target or harm individuals in Gaza. Although they did not disclose a copy of this review, the company promised to share factual findings from the forthcoming investigation prompted by The Guardian’s report upon its completion.
In their statement following Tuesday’s demonstration, the protest groups accused Microsoft of playing an active role in the persecution of Palestinians.