Windows 95 chime composer Brian Eno denounces Microsoft for its ties to Israeli government
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Summary
Musician and artist Brian Eno has called on Microsoft to halt all operations that support Israel’s violation of international law in relation to its conflict with Palestine.
Eno specifically referenced the Windows 95 operating system startup chime, and said he was initially proud to work with Microsoft but would not have believed they would one day be implicated in “the machinery of oppression and war”.
Eno’s call relates to Microsoft’s contracts with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, which the company acknowledged last week.
However, Microsoft said it had found no evidence that its AI or cloud services were used to target or harm people in Gaza.
Eno has a long history of criticising the actions of the Israeli government and supporting pro-Palestine initiatives, and said the money he earned from the Microsoft project would be donated to victims of attacks on Gaza.
The calls echo protests by Microsoft employees, including disruptions of Microsoft events by current and former employees, and come as the company faces increased criticism of its ties with the Israeli government.