The international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement are calling on people to cancel Game Pass subscriptions, avoid Microsoft-owned video game properties such as Minecraft and Call Of Duty, and boycott all Microsoft Gaming and Xbox-branded products in protest at the company’s reported business connections with the Israeli military.
The call follows allegations this January about the Israeli military’s usage of Microsoft’s Azure cloud technology and artificial intelligence products in the course of its bombardment and invasion of Gaza.
According to a joint investigation between the Guardian, Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call, with additional reporting from Drop Site News, Microsoft have “deepened” their relationship with Israel’s defence establishment since 7th October 2023, when several Palestinian militant groups struck across the border and massacred over a thousand people. Israel responded to the attack by mounting a ground offensive and airstrikes that have destroyed much of Gaza and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
the Israeli military’s usage of Microsoft’s Azure cloud technology and artificial intelligence products
Genuine question, but doesn’t this just mean that Israel paid for a Microsoft Azure subscription and used it to host web services? Like, anyone can do that. What am I missing here, exactly?
They say Microsoft have “deepened” their relationship, but how did they do that, exactly?
This whole thing has erupted on my radar in the past month ever since they abducted the girl from Tufts.
HOW does this genocidal state have such an insane stranglehold on our country?
Now I’m getting YouTube ads to demonize Hamas; apparently their effort to “pull people back” and get people sympathetic for October 7 hostages. I AM sympathetic to the hostages!…So why is Israel bombing them??
HOW does this genocidal state have such an insane stranglehold on our country?
Before AIPAC there was another Israeli organization that donated to politicians.
After years of fighting a committee ruled that it had to register as a foreign agent.
So Israel created AIPAC and then gave Max donations to the people on the committee that decides who has to register as a foreign agent.
Which is why AIPAC has never had to register.
As both parties continually got rid of campaign finance law, AIPAC kept increasing what they gave, and started throwing insane money at anyone critical of Israel in the primary when it’s cheap.
Over decades they’ve bought the only two options and ensured the only two options were peo-Israel over anything else
The worst part …
They’re not the only organization, even foreign country. Doing this to ensure they always win.
Luckily while Ken Martin does have a pro-Israel bias, while running Minnesota he was one of the few state chairs who refused to work against anti-genocide Dems in primaries or generals. Which resulted in Minnesota being one of the progressive strongholds despite no one guessing it would shake out that way a decade ago.
So I want to be clear:
The people fucking up the DNC for decades is gone, we need to support the new DNC to keep it out of their hands. The people running the DNC six months ago wants the current DNC to take the fall so they can move back in.
my xbox controller works fine on linux. and I don’t feel the need to stay for xbox exclusive software anymore. this isnt 1998. Software comparable or better than microsoft-made applications and programs are numerous now. you can choose freely. and proton is extremely powerful now.
the world needs to move on from windows and microsoft. its time.
I agree with all of this, my point is your Xbox controller is a Microsoft product? And if you purchase or play any games owned by Microsoft, they are also Microsoft products? So you would need to boycott all of that as well. That is just a much larger net cast than just not using Windows.
institutions should divest from future and present contracts. most consumers don’t have contracts with Microsoft. selling your electronics doesn’t hurt them in any way nor is that something that BDS asks for on their website:
Again, agreed. The original poster said “use Linux, that will remove everything Microsoft”. That is disingenuous, because you can use Linux and still purchase Microsoft products compatible with Linux. So my point was not to toss your existing items. However, you cannot replace your existing physical Microsoft products, purchase new digital content, or support any of Microsoft software in addition to switching from Windows. I didn’t imply anything about what you may already own.
Glad I‘ve waited for the Switch 2 pro controller to come out. I‘m in need of a new one and Xbox probably would‘ve been my second choice. And yes I‘ve looked into 8bitdio and what not, but they‘re not cheap either and I was happy with my switch pro for 7 years until recently.
Interesting you felt the need to tell me that instead of lecturing the person comparing Nintendo‘s practices with supporting a genocide. Very unique priorities indeed.
Yep, I have the 2.4ghz dongle ones with hall effect sensors and charging stand. Its just better and cheaper. The dongle is so that I don’t have to sync, I kinda like the whole plug in and it just works.
Well, it’s not so simple for gaming. People who don’t already own a gaming PC will need to drop a lot of money to buy one, and then get used to gaming on Linux (which can be janky, as I’m sure you know).
But, it’s worth it. Our convenience shouldn’t cost us our humanity.
gaming on linux is not janky. it is quite nice, and it leaves all of the MS UX nightmares at home.
i agree theat computers can be expensive, and are getting more expensive. if its for gaming, the games will be waaaaaaay cheaper, so one will have to look at the savings in the long run (especially by not having a subscription to use the product)
I game on a former Windows 11 laptop that now runs Linux. I have never owned a “real” gaming PC in my entire life and do not intend to drop any money on one. However, not having enough money to drop on a new laptop to run Linux because you have a more pressing need than gaming to have to still use Windows is still understandable. It’s less than the full-blown fancy gaming PC with its GPUs, but it’s still money.
Not really facing any jank myself thanks to the whole Steam Deck compatibility thing, but I also did have to tinker with one game a bit to make it work. I have had one game demo for a small indie not run so far. Other than that, very smooth experience.
You know what would help? Steam releasing a console. Valve, please just do what you did with the Steam Deck and put it in a box, offer 2-3 variations of specs and refresh them every 3-5 years.
a question to parents/guardians of kids playing Minecraft or other Microsoft games:
if they uninstall the Microsoft version of Minecraft and switch to a pirated launcher, does that respect the BDS demands? also, does playing it on Linux Mint from the Software Manager benefit Microsoft in any way?
I’m aware of similar media boycotts such as SAG/AFTRA telling people not to promote targeted media projects publicly. Ofc, BDS is a different organization but I’m hoping someone could clarify if not promoting Minecraft while still playing is sufficient? I’m not personally invested in continuing to play, but would like to find ways to inspire my young relative to consume consciously.
The most important thing in boycotts is not giving them (more) money, and not promoting their goods/services. You can’t get your money back from already bought things, so you can use or buy used stuff from other person.
Regarding Minecraft, the most effective is to avoid all its subscriptions and new purchases. But there are more actions, like not promoting and not playing. It is more about what you can do at the moment. Usually, listening and sharing the bad things done by the company helps you decide what can you do rn.
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Why is the dpad censored?
That’s just what it looks like now
The original Duke, S controller, and Xbox 360 controllers all have similar D-pads. I actually forgot they switched to a traditional one.
Wow, what MBA thought that was a cool look?
It’s so that’ it’s easier to perform directional actions. I personally like it from a usability standpoint.
Genuine question, but doesn’t this just mean that Israel paid for a Microsoft Azure subscription and used it to host web services? Like, anyone can do that. What am I missing here, exactly?
They say Microsoft have “deepened” their relationship, but how did they do that, exactly?
they answer your question in detail on their own website
https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft
Part of why it’s so ridiculous some Americans are legally prohibited from participating in BDS, is people only know if you tell them.
You can just not buy it and never mention why.
And unfortunately, lots of people aren’t even aware it’s illegal:
https://www.newsweek.com/pro-palestinian-protest-states-colleges-illegal-bds-1895292
This whole thing has erupted on my radar in the past month ever since they abducted the girl from Tufts.
HOW does this genocidal state have such an insane stranglehold on our country?
Now I’m getting YouTube ads to demonize Hamas; apparently their effort to “pull people back” and get people sympathetic for October 7 hostages. I AM sympathetic to the hostages!…So why is Israel bombing them??
Before AIPAC there was another Israeli organization that donated to politicians.
After years of fighting a committee ruled that it had to register as a foreign agent.
So Israel created AIPAC and then gave Max donations to the people on the committee that decides who has to register as a foreign agent.
Which is why AIPAC has never had to register.
As both parties continually got rid of campaign finance law, AIPAC kept increasing what they gave, and started throwing insane money at anyone critical of Israel in the primary when it’s cheap.
Over decades they’ve bought the only two options and ensured the only two options were peo-Israel over anything else
The worst part …
They’re not the only organization, even foreign country. Doing this to ensure they always win.
Luckily while Ken Martin does have a pro-Israel bias, while running Minnesota he was one of the few state chairs who refused to work against anti-genocide Dems in primaries or generals. Which resulted in Minnesota being one of the progressive strongholds despite no one guessing it would shake out that way a decade ago.
So I want to be clear:
The people fucking up the DNC for decades is gone, we need to support the new DNC to keep it out of their hands. The people running the DNC six months ago wants the current DNC to take the fall so they can move back in.
We’re so freeeeee!
use linux. that will remove everything microsoft.
i made the change a few years back, and my wife made the change a few months ago. #worth
Well except for any Xbox peripherals such as controllers, or games published or made by studios owned by Microsoft. It’s not just Windows OS.
my xbox controller works fine on linux. and I don’t feel the need to stay for xbox exclusive software anymore. this isnt 1998. Software comparable or better than microsoft-made applications and programs are numerous now. you can choose freely. and proton is extremely powerful now.
the world needs to move on from windows and microsoft. its time.
I agree with all of this, my point is your Xbox controller is a Microsoft product? And if you purchase or play any games owned by Microsoft, they are also Microsoft products? So you would need to boycott all of that as well. That is just a much larger net cast than just not using Windows.
BDS does not imply you stop using whatever you already own. it’s about preventing future purchases
Divest? Sell?
institutions should divest from future and present contracts. most consumers don’t have contracts with Microsoft. selling your electronics doesn’t hurt them in any way nor is that something that BDS asks for on their website:
https://bdsmovement.net/microsoft
Again, agreed. The original poster said “use Linux, that will remove everything Microsoft”. That is disingenuous, because you can use Linux and still purchase Microsoft products compatible with Linux. So my point was not to toss your existing items. However, you cannot replace your existing physical Microsoft products, purchase new digital content, or support any of Microsoft software in addition to switching from Windows. I didn’t imply anything about what you may already own.
Glad I‘ve waited for the Switch 2 pro controller to come out. I‘m in need of a new one and Xbox probably would‘ve been my second choice. And yes I‘ve looked into 8bitdio and what not, but they‘re not cheap either and I was happy with my switch pro for 7 years until recently.
I mean Nintendo isn’t really pro-consumer either. I’m not sure if they donate or support genocide, but they are pretty capitalistic to a fault.
You criticize capitalism, yet you participate in it. Curious. /s
If you know a manufacturer that‘s handing out world class controllers for free let me know, but otherwise I didn‘t ask.
No, but you did say something pretty stupid, as they pointed out
Interesting you felt the need to tell me that instead of lecturing the person comparing Nintendo‘s practices with supporting a genocide. Very unique priorities indeed.
What do you like about the switch pro controller? it has always felt cheap to me.
The 8bitdo Ultimate 2C is very cheap as controllers go, and is also one of my favourites. Certainly my go-to for general purpose
deleted by creator
with piracy you can boycott games without even stopping yourself from playing them.
That is true.
These days 8BitDo controllers are superior to first party Xbox controllers and sold for cheaper.
For sure, there are lots of options for controllers for PC!
Yep, I have the 2.4ghz dongle ones with hall effect sensors and charging stand. Its just better and cheaper. The dongle is so that I don’t have to sync, I kinda like the whole plug in and it just works.
Are there any with gyro?
Well, it’s not so simple for gaming. People who don’t already own a gaming PC will need to drop a lot of money to buy one, and then get used to gaming on Linux (which can be janky, as I’m sure you know).
But, it’s worth it. Our convenience shouldn’t cost us our humanity.
gaming on linux is not janky. it is quite nice, and it leaves all of the MS UX nightmares at home.
i agree theat computers can be expensive, and are getting more expensive. if its for gaming, the games will be waaaaaaay cheaper, so one will have to look at the savings in the long run (especially by not having a subscription to use the product)
I game on a former Windows 11 laptop that now runs Linux. I have never owned a “real” gaming PC in my entire life and do not intend to drop any money on one. However, not having enough money to drop on a new laptop to run Linux because you have a more pressing need than gaming to have to still use Windows is still understandable. It’s less than the full-blown fancy gaming PC with its GPUs, but it’s still money.
Not really facing any jank myself thanks to the whole Steam Deck compatibility thing, but I also did have to tinker with one game a bit to make it work. I have had one game demo for a small indie not run so far. Other than that, very smooth experience.
You know what would help? Steam releasing a console. Valve, please just do what you did with the Steam Deck and put it in a box, offer 2-3 variations of specs and refresh them every 3-5 years.
They can even call them something cool like Steam Machines
“Steam engines”
Whoosh?
Fuuuuuccckkk
Two steps ahead of you
Bruh name a mainstream Corp that isn’t pro Israel. I don’t even understand why these fuckers are so obsessed with fairies, rocks, and dirt
a question to parents/guardians of kids playing Minecraft or other Microsoft games:
if they uninstall the Microsoft version of Minecraft and switch to a pirated launcher, does that respect the BDS demands? also, does playing it on Linux Mint from the Software Manager benefit Microsoft in any way?
I’m aware of similar media boycotts such as SAG/AFTRA telling people not to promote targeted media projects publicly. Ofc, BDS is a different organization but I’m hoping someone could clarify if not promoting Minecraft while still playing is sufficient? I’m not personally invested in continuing to play, but would like to find ways to inspire my young relative to consume consciously.
The most important thing in boycotts is not giving them (more) money, and not promoting their goods/services. You can’t get your money back from already bought things, so you can use or buy used stuff from other person.
Regarding Minecraft, the most effective is to avoid all its subscriptions and new purchases. But there are more actions, like not promoting and not playing. It is more about what you can do at the moment. Usually, listening and sharing the bad things done by the company helps you decide what can you do rn.