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Microsoft cutting crucial link to Gaza, Palestinians say

bbc.com

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Re: Microsoft cutting crucial link to Gaza, Palestinians say

#51

Post by jonathanstrange »

nimbius wrote: post #23

as of 2023 the US officially sanctions 26 countries. If we are to expect that for every phone call to one of these 26 untouchables we will receive holy retribution from the US corporate class, then im afraid sanctions have defeated the very west they were intended to empower. Microsoft has an infuriating habit of doing this; its not just a one-off. They routinely lockout international github users and feign innocent…

If you're in a country sanctioned by country X, then you shouldn't use products from companies in country X. It's common sense.

Re: Microsoft cutting crucial link to Gaza, Palestinians say

#52

Post by sethammons »

root_axis wrote: post #44
jimnotgym wrote: post #6

These companies want to become as ubiquitous as a public utility. Therefore they should be regulated like a public utility

They're nothing like utilities and it makes no sense to treat them that way. Instead the u.s. needs laws that protect user digital rights, and all companies should have to adhere to those laws, not just big ones.

That could have a huge chilling effect on start ups, indi devs, and hobbyists

Re: Microsoft cutting crucial link to Gaza, Palestinians say

#53

Post by slibhb »

jimnotgym wrote: post #6

These companies want to become as ubiquitous as a public utility. Therefore they should be regulated like a public utility

Regulations are why Microsoft is banning users who call Gaza.

The real solution here is to use Signal (or something like it).

And I don't mean to criticize Microsoft or regulations. Microsoft is faced with an impossible task here, I assume they're doing the best they can.

Re: Microsoft cutting crucial link to Gaza, Palestinians say

#54

Post by selfmodruntime »

jimnotgym wrote: post #6

These companies want to become as ubiquitous as a public utility. Therefore they should be regulated like a public utility

I used to disagree with this. Recent conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine (regardless of who you side with) made me change my mind.

How is it that some rich Californian CEO with their own bias and agenda can decide to shut off service to entire groups of people in an active war zone? These decisions could cost people their lives! That's insane.

Re: Microsoft cutting crucial link to Gaza, Palestinians say

#55

Post by bhouston »

Y-bar wrote: post #31
jimnotgym wrote: post #6

These companies want to become as ubiquitous as a public utility. Therefore they should be regulated like a public utility

The Digital Markets Act and/or Digital Services Act ought to have something to say about this, especially the "this secret decision is final and we refuse to say anything else" part of the story.

That wording sounds like the decision was made in Israel and not the US.

I would guess the shutdown requests came from Israeli security services. Thus it is final and not appealable and can also the reasoning can not be revealed.

Re: Microsoft cutting crucial link to Gaza, Palestinians say

#56

Post by invalidname »

bhouston wrote: post #8

Was this decision made in Redmond or in Israel? Microsoft has offices in Israel and these offices are likely responsible for things happening in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Israel is currently at "war" with Gaza and having Israeli employees of Microsoft having the ability to disable anyone's account calling civilians in Gaza is pretty horrible. Is Microsoft via Skype and Hotmail participating in what Israel's lea…

It has R&D centers and local business centers. Skype is not in Israel and there's no reason for a VoIP solution to route through a country local facility. The "complete siege" ended ages ago. Israel provides power, food etc.

Re: Microsoft cutting crucial link to Gaza, Palestinians say

#57

Post by probably_wrong »

If you are in Europe and this happens to you, the GDPR gives you at least a partial solution: they don't have to give you your account back, but at least they have to provide you access to a backup of your data.

NOYB has a list of what your rights are [1] and "My Data Done Right" [2] provides a handy tool for finding out who to contact and how.

[1] https://noyb.eu/en/exercise-your-rights

[2] https://www.mydatadoneright.eu/

Re: Microsoft cutting crucial link to Gaza, Palestinians say

#58

Post by psychoslave »

UrineSqueegee wrote: post #38

[flagged]

So what? Do they pretend to filter all military and fraudulent uses on a equal basis with a public international ethical agenda openly shared and where every human out there is treated equally for the greatest good of all?
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