In the wake of protests regarding its collaboration with the Israeli government during the Gaza conflict, Google has reportedly fired over 20 additional employees, escalating the total number of terminated staff to more than 50, as confirmed by a workers' group.
The controversy revolves around "Project Nimbus," a $1.2 billion contract inked in 2021 between Google, Amazon, and the Israeli government, aimed at providing cloud computing and artificial intelligence services.
Last week, demonstrations erupted at Google offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California, resulting in arrests after the company called law enforcement to intervene.
"No Tech For Apartheid," the organizing body behind the protests, disclosed that 30 workers were dismissed last week, with an additional "over 20" terminated on Tuesday, including bystanders from the previous protests, according to spokeswoman Jane Chung.
Chung asserted in a press release that Google's actions signal an attempt to stifle dissent and exert control over its workforce.
Google defended its decision, citing an investigation that identified individuals involved in disruptive activities and those attempting to conceal their identities with masks and lack of staff badges. However, the company did not specify the exact number of dismissals.
Disputing the workers' claims, Google emphasized that each termination was based on confirmed involvement in disruptive behavior within its premises.
Previously, CEO Sundar Pichai hinted at potential further dismissals as the company prioritizes enhancing its AI technology, signaling a stringent approach towards employee conduct.
More: https://techxplore.com/news/2024-04-google-workers-protested-israel.html
