Skype, once the dominant internet calling service, was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 and has since been integrated into its enterprise and consumer communication tools. The platform has been heavily criticised for security flaws, surveillance-friendly architecture, and compliance with government data requests. Its decline in consumer use has been offset by integration into Microsoft Teams, where the same risks of weak privacy protections and corporate surveillance remain embedded in workplace communications worldwide.
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.