Microsoft Stock Climbs to Fourth in Trading Volume Amid Protest Fallout and Third-Party Review of Azure's Military Use

On August 28, 2025, Microsoft (MSFT) closed with a 0.57% increase, trading at a volume of $9.17 billion, ranking fourth in market activity for the day. The stock’s performance coincided with a corporate governance incident involving the termination of two employees linked to a protest at the company’s headquarters.

Microsoft confirmed the dismissal of Riki Fameli and Anna Hattle following their unauthorized entry into President Brad Smith’s office in Redmond, Washington. The protest, organized by the activist group No Azure for Apartheid, involved seven individuals demanding the company cease alleged support for Israel. The group reportedly blocked access to the office, installed listening devices, and refused to leave until law enforcement intervened. Microsoft stated the actions violated company policies and conduct codes, emphasizing ongoing investigations into the incident and broader use of its technology.

The controversy intensified after reports surfaced that Israel’s military had utilized Microsoft’s Azure cloud to store intercepted Palestinian communications. The company has initiated a third-party review of its services’ potential misuse. Smith, who previously highlighted arrests of 20 protesters during campus demonstrations, reiterated Microsoft’s commitment to uncovering the truth behind these allegations. The firm’s response aligns with broader industry scrutiny, as seen in Google’s 2024 dismissals over similar protests against its defense contracts.

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