Microsoft has terminated the employment of software engineer Joe Lopez following his protest at the company’s annual Build developer conference in Seattle. Lopez interrupted CEO Satya Nadella’s speech on Monday to voice his opposition to the company’s role in supplying technology used by the Israeli military in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Protest at Build Conference
Lopez’s outburst occurred during the opening minutes of the conference, where he could be heard shouting at Nadella. He was quickly escorted out of the room, and later sent a mass email to colleagues disputing Microsoft’s claims about its Azure cloud platform being used in Gaza. His protest was part of a series of pro-Palestinian disruptions at the event, with at least three talks being interrupted and one livestream briefly cut off. Protesters also gathered outside the venue, amplifying their dissent.
Microsoft’s Response
This incident is not the first time Microsoft has faced internal protests over its involvement in the Israeli military operations. The company had previously fired employees who protested its work with Israel, including a notable incident during its 50th anniversary event in April. In response to the protests, Microsoft acknowledged that it provided AI services to the Israeli military but maintained that it had found no evidence that its Azure platform or AI technologies were directly used to harm or target individuals in Gaza.
Internal Backlash and Advocacy
Lopez’s termination came after his protest, and the advocacy group “No Azure for Apartheid,” which is led by current and former employees, reported that Lopez received his termination letter but could not open it. The group also claims that Microsoft has blocked internal emails containing words like “Palestine” and “Gaza.”
Ongoing Protests and Microsoft’s Silence
Microsoft has not yet commented on its response to the protests or the claims made by the advocacy group. The four-day Build conference, which ends on Thursday, has been marked by rising tensions surrounding the company’s involvement in controversial geopolitical issues.
