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Microsoft blocks Israel’s use of its tech in mass surveillance of Palestinians

theguardian.com

131–140 of 894 posts

Re: Microsoft blocks Israel’s use of its tech in mass surveillance of Palestinians

#132

It would be only just if the Palestinians would get their own state after this.

[flagged]

You are thinking of "Palestinians" as a collective group, synonymous with a group of extremists who have done horrible things

Just as most of the citizens of Iran are victims of an Islamic totalitarian government, just as many Germans were victims of the fascist dictatorship that took hold of their nation, most human beings living near the southeast bit of the Levantine Sea are victims of actions outside their control.

They're collectively paying the price for horrific violence on both sides of an ugly, tragic conflict that they have no power over.

Giving those victims some sovereignty and peace would not be "rewarding" extremists, it would be taking a tiny step towards sanity.

Re: Microsoft blocks Israel’s use of its tech in mass surveillance of Palestinians

#133

It would be only just if the Palestinians would get their own state after this.

[flagged]

You seem to be unaware of all the Palestinian hostages Israel has been taking for decades. Thousands of people locked up without trial or charges, many of them children. Please educate yourself.

Re: Microsoft blocks Israel’s use of its tech in mass surveillance of Palestinians

#135

I am seeing several kneejerk "Microsoft bad" reactions here, which HNers don't do for many other companies. I encourage many of you to read what is written. They listened to their internal staff and stakeholders and public pressure, and did terminated the contract instead of ignoring it or doubling down. That is a good thing.

Yes it’s a good thing AND we don’t need to be celebrating companies when they finally do the bare minimum.

Nobody with any semblance of ethical, just or just plain being a basic good corporate citizen would say.. oh yeah mass surveillance of the comms of a whole population for money is in any way acceptable or ok. This shouldn’t be a tech side note this should be a total meltdown front page scandal. What a disgusting abuse of power by all involved.

Re: Microsoft blocks Israel’s use of its tech in mass surveillance of Palestinians

#136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know if it's _true_, but it seems right? I don't want Microsoft to have this level of visibility into my usage of Azure, just like I don't want my phone provider to eavesdrop on my conversations. I'm no privacy ayatollah, but this seems like a reasonable amount of privacy from Microsoft

Privacy ayatollah? Is that like an infosec shah?

Data pope?

Re: Microsoft blocks Israel’s use of its tech in mass surveillance of Palestinians

#137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know if it's _true_, but it seems right? I don't want Microsoft to have this level of visibility into my usage of Azure, just like I don't want my phone provider to eavesdrop on my conversations. I'm no privacy ayatollah, but this seems like a reasonable amount of privacy from Microsoft

Privacy ayatollah? Is that like an infosec shah?

No, a Shah is a hereditary ruler (a King), whereas an Ayatollah is more like a Bishop (ie a religious leader, but not the top guy such as the Pope in Roman Catholicism)

Re: Microsoft blocks Israel’s use of its tech in mass surveillance of Palestinians

#139
post #122

I am seeing several kneejerk "Microsoft bad" reactions here, which HNers don't do for many other companies. I encourage many of you to read what is written. They listened to their internal staff and stakeholders and public pressure, and did terminated the contract instead of ignoring it or doubling down. That is a good thing.

They fired staff who protested against the firm’s ties to the IDF.

That's a funny way to say "they fired staff that vandalized company property, broke into the CEO's office, and used an internal company website to publish and promote anti-company propaganda".

That will get you fired from bussing tables or washing dishes, let alone a six-figure job at MS.

Edit: Source on the last one; the first two were widely reported on in media:

https://lunduke.substack.com/p/fired-microsoft-employee-enco...

Re: Microsoft blocks Israel’s use of its tech in mass surveillance of Palestinians

#140
post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Very true. I've gone on dates with a couple Jewish women over the past two or three years & they've all staunchly supported Palestine which surprised me a bit.

Your sample size of two surely is conclusive? lol

I can understand your skepticism, but this is an example of what is termed “normal human conversation,” where people share their personal experiences. Quite often, one will find people sharing stories without the backing of statistical evidence.
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