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Microsoft blocks Israel’s use of its tech in mass surveillance of Palestinians

(www.theguardian.com)
873 points helsinkiandrew | 3 comments | 25 Sep 25 15:06 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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politelemon ◴[25 Sep 25 16:11 UTC] No.45374648[source]▶
I am seeing several kneejerk "Microsoft bad" reactions here, which HNers don't do for many other companies. I encourage many of you to read what is written.

They listened to their internal staff and stakeholders and public pressure, and did terminated the contract instead of ignoring it or doubling down.

That is a good thing.

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n1b0m ◴[25 Sep 25 16:21 UTC] No.45374815[source]▶
They fired staff who protested against the firm’s ties to the IDF.
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sugarpimpdorsey ◴[25 Sep 25 16:28 UTC] No.45374921[source]▶
That's a funny way to say "they fired staff that vandalized company property, broke into the CEO's office, and used an internal company website to publish and promote anti-company propaganda".

That will get you fired from bussing tables or washing dishes, let alone a six-figure job at MS.

Edit: Source on the last one; the first two were widely reported on in media:

https://lunduke.substack.com/p/fired-microsoft-employee-enco...

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BolexNOLA ◴[25 Sep 25 17:10 UTC] No.45375653{3}[source]▶
Every protest we praise in history broke the law at some point.

“Promote company-hating propaganda” is an interesting way to describe what happened.

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sugarpimpdorsey ◴[25 Sep 25 18:22 UTC] No.45376789{4}[source]▶
Building a website on internal Microsoft infra that ledes with a picture of "Azure Kills Kids" is beyond the pale.
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1. BolexNOLA ◴[25 Sep 25 18:24 UTC] No.45376817{5}[source]▶
That’s a pretty low bar for “beyond the pale.” Company PR isn’t some sacred thing and these people paid a hefty price for their protest. They should be praised for their bravery even if you disagree with their message.
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2. sugarpimpdorsey ◴[25 Sep 25 18:33 UTC] No.45376942[source]▶
I make no comment on their message but you cannot use company resources to do it and not expect consequences.

Sorry if that is unclear.

This is a fireable offense in nearly every company handbook in existence.

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3. BolexNOLA ◴[25 Sep 25 19:01 UTC] No.45377333[source]▶
When did I say they shouldn’t expect consequences or that it wasn’t a fireable offense? The whole point of this discussion is that cries for people to “protest properly” are ridiculous and designed to make protests ineffective.

Clearly I get that their jobs and more were at risk, hence why I said they were brave. The only thing unclear is where you got the impression I thought otherwise.