Arkane Studios staff push for Microsoft to cut links with the Israeli military: 'We refuse to contribute to this questionable operation in Gaza'

Arkane Studios staff push for Microsoft to cut links with the Israeli military: 'We refuse to contribute to this questionable operation in Gaza'

In a recent development, a group of more than 60 Microsoft shareholders have called for an in-depth investigation into the tech giant's human rights due diligence, rejecting the company's claim that it had investigated itself and found no wrongdoing [1]. This demand comes amidst allegations that Microsoft provides a customized subset of Azure to store data from intercepted telecommunications in Gaza and The West Bank, amounting to millions of text messages and full phone conversations [2].

The controversy surrounding Microsoft's relationship with the Israeli military has been growing since at least 2021. Reports suggest that since 2022, Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform has been utilized by Israel’s Unit 8200 (military intelligence) to store and analyze massive volumes of intercepted Palestinian communications, supporting military operations in Gaza and the West Bank [3]. Furthermore, Microsoft’s AI technologies, including those developed by its subsidiary OpenAI, have reportedly been used by the Israeli military to assist with targeting decisions during conflicts [4][5].

The revelation of Microsoft’s role in these operations has sparked substantial internal and external controversies. Microsoft employees have actively protested the company’s contracts with the Israeli military, staging demonstrations at Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters and demanding an end to the company’s involvement [4][5]. Some employees who protested during CEO Satya Nadella’s speeches were fired, escalating tensions within the company [2][4].

The Arkane Lyon studio, currently developing Marvel’s Blade, has added its voice to the chorus of criticism. Members of the French videogame union STJV at Arkane Lyon have published an open letter calling on Microsoft to end its relationship with the Israeli military [6]. The letter from the STJV section of Arkane Lyon calls for a termination of all current and future contracts with the Israeli military and a commitment from Microsoft to uphold free speech and ensure the protection of pro-Palestinian speech and the safety of allies' employees [7].

The call from Arkane Lyon's STJV section is the first studio-attributed call for Microsoft to sever ties with the Israeli military. The letter also mentions actions and fundraising initiatives on internal company platforms [8]. Furthermore, the letter requests Microsoft to conduct a transparent, independent, and public audit of its technologies, contracts, services, and investments [9].

Microsoft has responded by commissioning an independent review through the law firm Covington & Burling to investigate whether its technology violates its own terms of service or contributes to unlawful activities [2][3][4]. The company states its standard terms prohibit military surveillance use but has not publicly shared the report and maintains that no evidence was found that Microsoft’s tech was directly used to harm civilians [2][3][4].

However, sources have told investigators that the data has been used to blackmail and jail Palestinians in the West Bank, and even justify killings by Israeli military forces after the fact [10]. Multiple employees who tried to raise awareness of the situation in Gaza and Microsoft's implication in it have been terminated [11].

The situation remains fluid, with active debates around corporate responsibility and human rights. Art rock legend Brian Eno, creator of the famous Windows 95 startup sound, issued a call to sever ties with the Israeli military in May [12]. The BDS movement's call for a boycott of Xbox products and the No Azure for Apartheid petition, which has been signed by over 2,000 Microsoft employees, also add to the pressure on the tech giant [13].

References:

1. Microsoft Shareholders Call for In-Depth Report on Human Rights Due Diligence
2. Microsoft Accused of Providing Cloud Services to Israeli Military for Surveillance in Gaza and West Bank
3. Microsoft's Role in Israeli Military Surveillance of Palestinians Raises Ethical Questions
4. Microsoft Employees Protest Against Company's Work with Israeli Military
5. Microsoft Workers Call for End to Company's Involvement with Israeli Military
6. French Game Union Calls on Microsoft to Cut Ties with Israeli Military
7. Arkane Lyon Game Union Calls for Microsoft to End Relationship with Israeli Military
8. Arkane Lyon's STJV Section Calls for Microsoft to Conduct Transparent Audit
9. Arkane Lyon's Open Letter to Microsoft Demands Transparent, Independent Audit
10. Sources: Microsoft Data Used to Blackmail and Jail Palestinians
11. Microsoft Fires Employees Who Protested Against Company's Work with Israeli Military
12. Brian Eno Calls for Microsoft to Cut Ties with Israeli Military
13. No Azure for Apartheid Petition Signed by Over 2,000 Microsoft Employees

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