Ethical Hacking News
Protesting workers stormed into the office of Microsoft CEO Brad Smith on Tuesday, conducting a sit-in in response to allegations that the company's Azure cloud servers were being used for a massive surveillance program aimed at Palestinians. The protests come as part of a growing trend of activism aimed at disrupting the relationship between Big Tech and the Israeli government.
Protesting workers stormed into Microsoft's office, claiming that President Brad Smith was supporting genocide by doing business with Israel. The protesters aimed their attention at Smith and left a poster accusing him of crimes against humanity. Policemen quickly arrived to address the situation, patrolling the area surrounding Building 34 and blocking entrances and exits from traffic. The protests were in response to allegations that Microsoft's Azure cloud servers had been used by Israel's surveillance program targeting Palestinians. The protests are part of a growing trend of activism against Big Tech's relationship with the Israeli government. Dozens of protesters have occupied Microsoft's campus, with many arrested by law enforcement officers.
In a dramatic display of resistance against Microsoft's partnership with the Israeli government, protesting workers took to the streets on Tuesday, storming into the office of company president Brad Smith and conducting a sit-in. The protesters, who had been fired from their jobs, aimed their attention at Smith, who they claimed was supporting genocide by doing business with Israel.
The protest efforts were streamed live on Twitch by the protesters, who used noise-makers and banners to make their voices heard. As they entered Smith's office, they shouted slogans such as "Brad Smith, you can't hide, you're supporting genocide!" The protesters also left a poster at the scene that read "The People's Court Summons Bradford Lee Smith on Charges of Crimes Against Humanity."
According to eyewitnesses, the police arrived quickly to address the situation. A uniformed member of Microsoft Global Security told a reporter from The Seattle Times that Building 34 was under lockdown around 2:45 p.m., and entry was prohibited. Law enforcement officers patrolled the area surrounding Building 34, blocking entrances and exits from traffic.
The protests came on the heels of an internal probe launched by Microsoft to determine whether there was any substance to claims made in a recent report published by The Guardian. That report alleged that Unit 8200, Israel's shadowy intelligence agency, had been using Microsoft's Azure cloud servers for a massive surveillance program aimed at Palestinians.
As part of a deal with Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, the spy unit had reportedly been granted access to a customized and segregated area within Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. This cloud setup was used to build a sweeping and intrusive system designed to collect and store recordings of millions of mobile phone calls made each day by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Microsoft previously told The Guardian that "Microsoft appreciates that the Guardian's recent report raises additional and precise allegations that merit a full and urgent review." However, when reached for comment by Gizmodo, Microsoft referred us to a previously live-streamed press conference held with Brad Smith. Among other things, Smith said that The Guardian's reporting was "fair" and much of it "now needs to be tested."
The protests against Microsoft are part of a growing trend of activism aimed at disrupting the relationship between Big Tech and the Israeli government. Other efforts have targeted Microsoft peers like Amazon and Google, with activists seeking to expose and condemn the companies' involvement with Israel.
In recent weeks, dozens of protesters have occupied the company's campus over a two-day period. Many of those involved in the protests were arrested by law enforcement officers. The actions taken by the protesting workers aim to bring attention to the issue of Microsoft's partnership with the Israeli government and to put pressure on the company to take action.
The situation highlights the complex and often contentious relationship between technology companies and governments, particularly when it comes to issues of national security and human rights. As protests against Microsoft continue to escalate, it remains to be seen whether the company will take concrete steps to address its partnership with Israel.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Microsoft-Locks-Down-Building-After-Protesting-Workers-Enter-CEOs-Office-ehn.shtml
https://gizmodo.com/microsoft-israel-protests-2000648637
Published: Wed Aug 27 08:34:59 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
