Google Terminates More Employees Following Protests Over Israeli Deal
Internal Unrest Escalates Amid Dispute Over "Project Nimbus" Contract
In the wake of protests surrounding Google's technology deal with the Israeli government during the Gaza conflict, the company has reportedly fired over 50 employees, according to a group representing the workers.
The controversy centers on "Project Nimbus," a $1.2 billion contract inked in 2021, where Google and Amazon agreed to provide cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to the Israeli government.
Last week, employees staged sit-in protests at Google offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California, prompting the company to involve law enforcement, resulting in arrests.
Advertisement
"No Tech For Apartheid," the group behind the protests, claims that 30 workers were terminated last week, surpassing their initial announcement of 28 dismissals.
On Tuesday night, Google reportedly fired "over 20" more employees, including those who did not actively participate in the protests, as stated by Jane Chung, a spokesperson for No Tech For Apartheid.
Chung condemned Google's actions, accusing the corporation of suppressing dissent and silencing its workers without due process.
In response, Google stated that it terminated additional employees after an investigation revealed details of disruptive behavior within its premises. The company cited instances of individuals wearing masks and concealing their staff badges to conceal their identities.
While Google did not disclose the exact number of terminations, it refuted the group's allegations, asserting that each dismissed employee was directly involved in disruptive activities.
CEO Sundar Pichai previously hinted at potential consequences for employees, emphasizing the company's commitment to enhancing its AI technology. He indicated a stricter approach in dealing with any misconduct within the organization.
The developments underscore the growing tension within Google, as employees voice concerns over the company's business dealings, while management emphasizes the importance of maintaining order and discipline within its workforce.
Also Read: Google Launches AI Security Add-On for Workspace to Enhance Data Protection
