SEATTLE (AP) — Microsoft has terminated a software engineer who interrupted CEO Satya Nadella’s speech at the company’s annual Build developer conference to protest the company’s technology supply to the Israeli military in Gaza.
Joe Lopez was heard shouting at Nadella during the opening minutes of the conference on Monday before being escorted out. Later, Lopez sent a mass email to colleagues challenging Microsoft’s claims about how its Azure cloud computing platform is used in Gaza.
The protest occurred against the backdrop of Microsoft’s involvement in the tech industry’s response to the Gaza conflict. At least three employees were reportedly fired by the company, with Microsoft briefly cutting off live streams of the event.
Microsoft has previously faced protests from employees over its involvement in various military projects. The company has acknowledged receiving termination letters from employees who protested against its work with the Israeli military.
The advocacy group No Azure for Apartheid, led by employees and ex-employees, stated that Microsoft’s Azure platform and other technologies were being used in Gaza. The group also gathered outside the venue on the first day of the conference.
Microsoft has not commented on the specific email requests from the protesting employees but acknowledged receiving termination letters. The company has faced criticism for its involvement in military technology projects, with some employees expressing concerns about the ethical implications of their work.
The incident highlights the growing tension between tech companies and their employees over ethical considerations in their business dealings. As major tech firms continue to expand their involvement in military and defense projects, internal dissent is becoming more common.
