Amidst Xbox boycotts and media pressure, Microsoft reportedly restructures Israeli office after internal investigation into ethical violations
But will it sever ties completely?
https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-israel-xbox-boycotts-restructuring
Microsoft's investigation into the ethical conduct of its Israeli office, and its work with the Israeli Ministry of Defense - particularly in relation to storing user data on Microsoft's servers - has resulted in the departure of the general manager there and several other managers. This is according to news publication Globes, which also heard that for the time being, Microsoft's rudderless Israeli office will be led by Microsoft France.
Microsoft's investigation is a result of a report aired on The Guardian last year about the use of Microsoft's cloud technology and artificial intelligence services by the Israeli military during the most intensive bombardments of Gaza. People Make Games also published a detailed video on the issue later that year, reporting from a Microsoft data center in Holland alleged to have been storing Ministry of Defence-intercepted audio recordings, and many other forms of data, from millions of Palestinian people.
It's a situation that's given rise to calls to boycott Microsoft - and in particular subsidiaries like Xbox - until the matter is resolved or at least addressed. Earlier this year, an indie studio returned Microsoft game-funding money because of the company's involvement with Israel, and other studios have removed their games from sale on Microsoft platforms as well.
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I won't be buying FH6, but I know most people don't care.







