Microsoft Fires Employees After Azure Protest in Brad Smith’s Office

Microsoft has once again found itself at the center of controversy after two employees were dismissed for staging a sit-in protest inside the Redmond office of company president Brad Smith.

The demonstration, held on August 27, 2025, was part of the ongoing No Azure for Apartheid campaign, which accuses Microsoft of enabling surveillance and human rights violations through its Azure contracts with the Israeli government.

The protest was led by software engineers Anna Hattle and Riki Fameli, who not only occupied Smith’s office but also livestreamed the event on Twitch, amplifying their demand that Microsoft cut ties with Israel. Security quickly locked down the executive wing, and multiple arrests followed. Hattle and Fameli were fired shortly afterward, with Microsoft calling their actions “serious violations” of company policy and security protocols.

The incident highlights a growing culture of confrontation inside the tech giant. Employee activism has surged in recent years, with demonstrations targeting issues from government contracts to labor practices. While Microsoft has often positioned itself as progressive – publicly supporting LGBTQ+ rights and diversity initiatives – critics argue the company plays both sides: promoting a polished PR image while pursuing lucrative deals with governments accused of abuse.

Brad Smith addressed the situation in a press briefing, insisting that Microsoft remains committed to human rights, while stressing that “unauthorized disruptions that threaten workplace safety” will not be tolerated. Still, the firings have fueled further debate over whether Microsoft is protecting its brand image or silencing legitimate dissent. For many employees, the core question remains unresolved: can a company claim ethical leadership while profiting from controversial contracts?

What’s clear is that Microsoft has entered a new era of internal turbulence, where activist employees and corporate strategy are increasingly colliding – and the outcome may shape not only the company’s policies but also the wider tech industry’s reckoning with power, politics, and accountability.