Microsoft employees accuse tech giant of censoring emails with words like Palestine and Gaza
Microsoft has confirmed it has taken steps to reduce emails with "politically focused" content, amid accusations it is censoring Outlook emails containing words such as "Palestine" or "Gaza," according to reports.
Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw issued the confirmation to The Verge.
"Over the past couple of days, a number of politically focused emails have been sent to tens of thousands of employees across the company and we have taken measures to try and reduce those emails to those that have not opted in," Shaw told the news outlet.
The confirmation to The Verge comes after a group of Microsoft workers belonging to No Azure for Apartheid (NOAA) accused the tech giant of censoring or blocking any emails containing the following words in the subject line or body:
Shaw, in response to an employee in Microsoft's internal message board, initially said the company is not blocking or censoring emails unless they are sent to large numbers of random distribution groups, CNBC reported.
But NOAA said this is "demonstrably false".
"The censorship is affecting every single outgoing email from any employee's work email, including ones sent to a singular email, or even to Microsoft HR to report discrimination cases," NOAA said in a statement.
"We believe Microsoft limiting its employees' ability to report harassment and discrimination by limiting emails that contain the word 'Palestine' or 'Gaza' to be a flagrant discriminatory practice and a serious workplace concern."
Shaw told The Verge that emailing large numbers of employees about any topic that's not related to work is "not appropriate".
"We have an established forum for employees who have opted in to political issues," the spokesperson said.
The allegations of censorship comes as Microsoft faces employee protests over the Israeli military's use of the company's tech products, such as Azure.
Two employees were reportedly fired last month for protesting on the matter during the company's 50th anniversary celebration.
Microsoft's Build developer conference was also interrupted more than once by protesters calling out the tech giant's contracts with the Israeli government. One of the employees involved, Joe Lopez, was also fired by the organisation, The Verge reported.
Microsoft clarified earlier this month that its relationship with the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD) is a "standard commercial relationship" and that its tech is not used to harm people in Gaza.
The statement follows the company's internal review over allegations the Israeli military is using Microsoft technologies to target civilians and cause harm in Gaza.
"Based on our review, including both our internal assessments and external review, we have found no evidence that Microsoft's Azure and AI technologies, or any of our other software, have been used to harm people or that IMOD has failed to comply with our terms of service or our AI Code of Conduct," it said.
