Brian Eno, Windows 95 Music Composer, Condemns Microsoft Over Israeli Government Ties

Brian Eno, the musician and composer behind the Windows 95 operating system’s iconic startup chime, has criticized Microsoft for its involvement in what he describes as aiding ‘surrogates of surveillance, inhumanity, and genocide in Palestine.’ Eno has called on Microsoft to halt services supporting operations that violate international law. This critique highlights ongoing controversies regarding Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, particularly in relation to cloud and AI services. Although Microsoft asserts that its products are not used for targeting or harming civilians, the company has faced increased scrutiny amidst the violent conflict following the October 2023 attacks by Hamas. Protests and disruptions at Microsoft events, affiliated with groups like ‘No Azure for Apartheid,’ have intensified calls for the company to sever ties with the Israeli government and advocate for a lasting ceasefire.