Microsoft Faces Protests at Redmond Office Over Israeli Military Tech Links

Microsoft President Brad Smith reiterated the company's commitment to investigate reports that Israel used Microsoft technology to select bombing targets, following protests at its Redmond headquarters. Activists from the group No Azure for Apartheid staged a demonstration in Smith's office, accusing Microsoft of enabling Israeli military surveillance through its Azure cloud services and demanding the company sever ties with Israel. Police detained seven individuals involved in the office occupation, and in a separate incident, 20 protesters were arrested at Microsoft's headquarters for trespassing and related charges. Smith condemned the protests as crossing a line, emphasizing the importance of maintaining security and safety while upholding human rights standards. Microsoft denied allegations that its technology profits from civilian deaths and stressed its work with Israel focuses mainly on cybersecurity, with ongoing internal dialogue regarding these issues. The demonstrations have heightened scrutiny on Microsoft's defense contracts and AI projects linked to government use, potentially impacting its reputation and government relationships.