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Microsoft employees have become increasingly active in protesting recently, with the company firing two individuals after a sit-in protest inside President Brad Smith’s office on August 27, 2025. The protest, which was livestreamed on Twitch by Anna Hattle and Riki Fameli, aimed to pressure Microsoft into ending its contracts with the Israeli government due to geopolitical tensions.
The tech giant has maintained a strict stance on such disruptions. According to Reuters, these employees were fired for unauthorized access to the executive office during a protest against Azure’s government partnerships. The demonstration highlighted concerns that Azure services had been used for surveillance against Palestinians.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of employee activism at Microsoft, with previous protests involving various issues. However, this particular protest was deemed especially serious due to its direct and confrontational nature. Brad Smith reaffirmed the company’s commitment to human rights during a press conference following the incident, noting that it would investigate claims about Azure’s role in conflict while emphasizing zero tolerance for disruptions that compromise workplace safety.
The recent dismissals highlight the tension between Microsoft’s stance on ethical concerns and the demands of activist employees.
