LinkedIn, acquired by Microsoft in 2016, is the world’s largest professional networking platform. With over 900 million users, it positions itself as a neutral career tool but has been repeatedly criticised for cooperating with authoritarian censorship demands, particularly in China before its partial withdrawal from the market. LinkedIn collects vast amounts of professional and personal data, feeding into Microsoft’s surveillance-driven advertising and enterprise services. Its moderation policies have also faced criticism for restricting political expression, including Palestinian solidarity content, under the guise of maintaining a “professional” environment.
Microsoft receives a High Impact rating because it provides vital infrastructure that powers Israeli government surveillance systems, biometric tracking, and military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Unlike consumer-oriented firms, Microsoft builds the backbone of apartheid architecture through AI, cloud, and software systems deployed by Israeli authorities. The company’s disregard for internal dissent and continued partnership despite evidence of human rights abuses further cements its alignment with occupation policies.