Microsoft asked FBI to monitor employees protesting Gaza: report | Latest Tech News
Microsoft has reportedly asked the FBI and local police to help monitor and include a wave of Gaza-related protests by its own employees — who over the weekend confirmed up on kayaks in entrance of the lakeside properties of the tech giant’s top executives.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to Lake Washington on Sunday, circling close to the waterfront mansions of CEO Satya Nadella and President Brad Smith with banners and chants accusing Microsoft of profiting from Israel’s struggle in Gaza, according to Bloomberg News.
The dramatic scene was the latest in the growing revolt inside the world’s largest software program maker, where a group of employees calling itself “No Azure for Apartheid” has spent practically a 12 months demanding the company cut ties with Israel’s army.
They argue Microsoft’s Azure cloud service helps fuel struggle crimes. Instead of bowing to stress, the company turned to law enforcement.
Protesters in kayaks circle the lakeside properties of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Brad Smith on Lake Washington on Sunday, chanting against the company’s ties to Israel’s army. Instagram / @noazureforapartheid
Internal emails reviewed by Bloomberg show Microsoft investigators contacted the FBI’s Seattle workplace, flagging employees and even relations linked to protests while warning that demonstrations might disrupt major occasions.
“One of our former employees in particular, Hossam Nasr, has been quite active in his posts targeting Microsoft and that we are complicit in genocide,” a director of investigations told the bureau.
Nasr, a software program engineer who stays lively with “No Azure for Apartheid,” and another colleague have been reportedly fired by Microsoft in October of last 12 months for organizing a lunchtime vigil and fundraiser for Palestinians in Gaza at company headquarters in Redmond, Wash.
When reached by Bloomberg, the FBI declined to focus on its dealings with Microsoft but said it focuses on felony threats while respecting free speech.
Protesters unfurl banners studying “Microsoft kills kids” during a Gaza-related demonstration against the company on Lake Washington on Sunday. Instagram / @noazureforapartheid
In preparation for its Build convention, Microsoft coordinated with metropolis officers to limit access to public areas, add airport-style checkpoints and bar activist insignia.
Those strikes adopted a string of high-profile disruptions.
In April, engineer Ibtihal Aboussad hurled a Palestinian keffiyeh onto the stage during a keynote speech by AI chief Mustafa Suleyman.
Hours later, colleague Vaniya Agrawal interrupted a panel that includes Nadella, Gates and Ballmer. Both resigned in protest.
Weeks later, engineer Joe Lopez jumped on a chair during Nadella’s remarks, accusing him of “perpetuating war crimes.” He was fired that night time.
And last week, police zip-tied and hauled off 20 protesters after they shaped a “liberated zone” on a Redmond plaza and chanted executives’ names.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks at a company event as worker dissent over Gaza ties escalates. AP
Smith defended the crackdown.
“To have them engaging in vandalism and destructive behavior obviously makes clear that this aspect of the issue is no longer about dialogue with employees,” Smith told Bloomberg.
“It’s a matter for law enforcement, and that’s how we’re treating it.”
For Microsoft — which has largely averted the scandals dogging its Big Tech friends — the controversy thrusts it into the middle of one of the most polarizing points in global politics.
The company insists it isn’t complicit in Israel’s struggle effort.
A previous inside probe discovered no evidence its cloud instruments have been used to hurt civilians, though Microsoft is now investigating recent stories that Israeli intelligence intercepted Palestinian calls and saved them on Microsoft servers.
Microsoft’s Brad Smith has defended the crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests, saying disruptive actions are a matter for law enforcement. Boston Globe via Getty Images
Inside the company, dissent continues. Employees say posts mentioning Gaza have been deleted and protest emails blocked.
Organizers estimate about 200 current and former staffers quietly back their trigger — a small share of Microsoft’s 200,000-strong workforce, but enough to keep the stress on.
“This isn’t just Microsoft Word with a little Clippy in the corner,” Agrawal said. “These are technological weapons. Cloud and AI are just as deadly as bombs and bullets.”
For now, the revolt exhibits no signal of slowing. Protesters say the FBI’s involvement and firings is not going to silence them.
As Nasr, the Egyptian-born engineer Microsoft flagged to the feds, declared after a Redmond rally: “This isn’t the end.”
The FBI Seattle subject workplace has reportedly been contacted by Microsoft investigators in search of help to monitor Gaza-related protests. AP
“No Azure for Apartheid is a campaign that will be steadfast in our determination to end Microsoft’s role in the genocide of Palestinians. We are unfazed by scare tactics,” the group said in a assertion to The Post.
“The fact Microsoft is attempting to use law enforcement as a means of suppressing its own workforce who stand in opposition against genocide should be a wakeup call to all people who seek to organize in their workplace.”
The group added that “this news demonstrates Microsoft is feeling the pressure from its workers, the public and of the worldwide boycotts.”
The Post has sought remark from Microsoft, Nasr, the FBI and “No Azure for Apartheid.”
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