SEATTLE (Diya TV) — Police arrested seven people after they occupied the office of Microsoft President Brad Smith on Wednesday. The protest focused on the company’s alleged ties to the Israel Defense Forces amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Current and former Microsoft employees were among those arrested, according to the protest group No Azure for Apartheid. The group claims Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, Azure, was used by the IDF to store phone call data collected from Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
The incident came after Smith reported finding listening devices planted in his office. Authorities removed the protesters without injuries.
The protest group, No Azure for Apartheid, has been active for several months. They argue that Microsoft’s ties to the IDF contribute to surveillance and human rights abuses in Palestinian territories. Two of the arrested individuals were Microsoft employees, Smith confirmed during a press briefing.
The protesters streamed parts of the occupation live on Twitch. Video footage showed a group huddled together as officers moved in to make arrests. Outside the building, another crowd gathered to support the demonstration.
This is not the first protest targeting Microsoft. Last week, 18 people were arrested during a similar demonstration at a plaza near the company headquarters. In May, Microsoft fired an employee who interrupted a speech by CEO Satya Nadella. In April, the company dismissed two employees who disrupted the 50th anniversary celebration.
The protest group has demanded that Microsoft sever its ties with Israel and pay reparations to Palestinians. They also called on the company to take responsibility for the use of Azure in alleged mass surveillance operations.
Microsoft is reviewing a report published by The Guardian earlier this month. The British newspaper claimed that the IDF used Azure to store phone call data collected through mass surveillance of Palestinians. Microsoft stated that it takes the allegations seriously and is investigating the matter.
Brad Smith emphasized the company’s commitment to privacy and security during his media briefing. He said the planted listening devices raised serious concerns and that Microsoft will work with law enforcement to ensure safety in its offices.
Microsoft holds contracts with the U.S. military, which has fueled protests from employees and activist groups. Some current and former employees argue that the company’s collaboration with defense forces conflicts with its public stance on ethics and human rights.
One of the arrested individuals previously worked for Google, highlighting that tech industry employees are increasingly vocal about military contracts and government surveillance.
The protests have drawn attention to how technology is used in conflict zones. Activists say they aim to hold tech companies accountable for enabling surveillance that may violate human rights.
Microsoft has pledged to continue reviewing internal policies and external partnerships. The company stressed the importance of transparency in cloud services and data storage.
