Redmond: Microsoft has implemented a ban on the words 'Palestine,' 'Gaza,' and 'genocide' from being used in internal emails, affecting messages sent both within and outside of the company. This development, reported by the Verge website, indicates that Microsoft employees have found their emails containing these terms are temporarily blocked from reaching their intended recipients.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the No Azure for Apartheid (NOAA) protest group has highlighted that numerous Microsoft workers have encountered issues sending emails with these specific words in the subject lines or body of the messages. NOAA organizer Hossam Nasr stated that the group views this as an attempt by Microsoft to stifle worker free speech and a form of censorship targeting Palestinian workers and their supporters.
Microsoft has justified the measure as part of an initiative to reduce politically focused emails within the company. The block was brought to light by NOAA, a group comprised of pro-Palestinian Microsoft employees, who disclosed that the company quietly activated the filter on its Exchange servers following a protest at Microsoft Build 2025. This move has sparked internal criticism due to Microsoft's role in providing cloud services and AI tools to the Israeli occupation forces.
Recently, during the Microsoft Build Conference, activists, including a former Google employee and members of the "No Tech for Apartheid" movement, disrupted CEO Satya Nadella's opening speech. The protestors were demonstrating against Microsoft's involvement in supplying technology that supports Israel's military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in severe casualties and humanitarian crises.
