Microsoft fires employees for protesting military contracts at anniversary celebration
- Two Microsoft employees were fired for protesting during a major company event.
- The protest focused on the company's AI technology contracts with the Israeli military.
- This incident highlights the growing tension between employee activism and corporate business practices.
In early April 2025, during Microsoft's 50th anniversary celebration in Redmond, Washington, two employees staged a protest against the company's collaboration with the Israeli military by highlighting its use of artificial intelligence technology in military operations. The protest was initiated by Ibtihal Aboussad, a software engineer from Microsoft's Canadian headquarters, who interrupted an executive's presentation. Following her vocal outcry, security escorted her out of the event. Another employee, Vaniya Agrawal, later joined the protest, leading to both employees being fired subsequently. Microsoft justified the terminations by claiming these actions were disruptive to the event and accused Aboussad of making unsubstantiated allegations against the company. This incident is significant as it follows previous protests against Microsoft's defense contracts, reflecting ongoing employee unrest regarding the ethical implications of its business deals with militaries, particularly Israel. The protest received considerable attention and raised questions about freedom of expression within corporate environments, particularly when it comes to the actions of employees advocating for ethical practices in business. The protest and resulting firings serve as a reminder of the tensions at the intersection of corporate responsibility and individual employee advocacy.