Operating around the world with an annual revenue exceeding $300 Billion, it’s no surprise there’s a lot of complexity boycotting Microsoft and this process will take time for me. I have an Xbox console and a large library of games as well as other software and operating systems from Microsoft. With a career that involved Information Systems Management and teaching computer science, a boycott is not easy – but not impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Microsoft aided Israel in their genocide of Palestinians and the targeting of civilians both in Palestine and other countries.
Ref: “From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide”, published in mid-2025 by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microsoft is a US corporation and within the context of ‘deyankification’ of the UK: We have little control over, or even knowledge of, what MS does with data. This could be from web searches, using their operating systems, storing files in their cloud (One Drive) or video gaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a US corporation with the (legally-obliged) goal of return for shareholders, this corporate perspective is the antithesis of how technological progress can have a positive impact on human society and the planet…
data centres, bloatware, TPM 2.0, data harvesting, advertising, vendor lock-in, enshitification, security vulnerabilities, antitrust history<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The final straw from me was the UN report and other investigative journalism that credibly reveals Microsoft’s role in Israel’s genocide. Money over human life is not excusable. As a consequence, I immediately halted any spend on video games with Microsoft but have now dramatically reduced expenditure. I had 1,600 titles on the Xbox One and Series X system (a further 400 on the Xbox 360) but since 2025, I have only bought 11 titles. All but two were paid for using credit provided by Microsoft’s Reward’s programme so actual spend with Microsoft was \u00a33.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have bought one copy of Windows 11 through a third-party reseller for \u00a33.03.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have cancelled Office 365 subscription and lapse my Game Pass subscription and have only got the lowest (essential) tier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I cannot sell my Microsoft (including Xbox games) library (Microsoft block users from transferring digital assets\/licenses, even in the case of death) but I cannot reduce expenditure in the spirit of boycott.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I will implement Linux at home where possible (three servers) and use products that do not rely on Microsoft services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I will make a concerted effort in future roles to avoid the adoption and use of Microsoft products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I said above, this is a work in progress to remove Microsoft products from my daily life and a better explanation of the reasons and actions will be provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n