Google (Alphabet Inc.)

Category: Challenging

Technology conglomerate providing $1.2 billion in cloud infrastructure to the Israeli government and military through Project Nimbus. Internal documents reveal Google knew the contract could facilitate human rights violations before signing.

Listing: NASDAQ HQ: USA Website Updated: 8 Jan 2026

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Decision-Maker Directory

Key individuals with influence over corporate partnerships and procurement decisions. Direct your correspondence to the most relevant role.

Sundar Pichai
CEO, Alphabet Inc. and Google
Oversees all company strategy. Issued memo telling employees not to 'fight over disruptive issues' after protests.
Public contact: [email protected]
Thomas Kurian
CEO, Google Cloud
Leads Google Cloud division responsible for Project Nimbus. Office occupied by protesters for 9+ hours in April 2024.
Public contact: [email protected]
Ruth Porat
President and Chief Investment Officer, Alphabet
Oversees major investments and financial strategy including government contracts.
Public contact: [email protected]
Kent Walker
President, Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer
Responsible for legal affairs and government relations, including contract compliance.
Public contact: [email protected]

Material Risk Framing

Frame your message around business risks. These talking points resonate with corporate stakeholders and institutional investors.

Reputational

Project Nimbus has generated sustained employee protests, 50+ terminations, and international condemnation. UN Special Rapporteur identified Google as part of a 'joint criminal enterprise' abetting genocide in Gaza (August 2025).

Financial

Contract generates estimated $3.3bn in revenue (2023-2027), but employee walkouts, talent attrition, and potential client losses threaten broader business. Internal reports acknowledged reputational damage risks before contract signing.

Legal

Contract contains 'Winking Mechanism' requiring Google to secretly alert Israel of foreign court data requests, potentially obstructing criminal investigations. ICJ and ICC determinations create liability exposure for companies providing infrastructure to Israeli military operations.

Operational

Internal documents show Google cannot control how Israel uses its cloud technology, including for military and surveillance purposes. Contract prohibits Google from restricting use even if it violates terms of service.

Product Alternatives

Ethical replacements tagged by what matters to you: cost, quality, ethics, sustainability, or local sourcing. Make the switch today.

Enterprise Cloud Platforms

Alternative cloud infrastructure providers for enterprises evaluating ESG compliance. Migration requires planning but is achievable.

Microsoft Azure

Global

Major cloud platform. Note: Microsoft also has Israeli government contracts, though some were reportedly reduced in September 2025.

Verify current Israeli contract status before migration. Some divestment reported.

Direct Match

OVHcloud

EU, Global

European cloud provider headquartered in France, subject to EU regulations.

EU data sovereignty, no known Israeli military contracts.

More Ethical Local Supplier

Scaleway

EU

French cloud provider with strong data sovereignty focus.

European infrastructure, privacy-focused.

More Ethical Local Supplier

DigitalOcean

Global

Developer-focused cloud platform with simpler pricing.

Good for smaller workloads, US-based.

Direct Match Cheaper

Search Engines

Alternative search engines that do not share data with or support Israeli military operations.

DuckDuckGo

Global

Privacy-focused search engine that doesn't track users.

Strong privacy protections, no user tracking.

More Ethical Direct Match

Ecosia

Global

Search engine that plants trees with ad revenue. Based in Germany.

Carbon-negative, transparent about revenue use.

More Ethical Sustainable

Startpage

Global

Privacy-focused search using Google results without tracking.

Netherlands-based, EU privacy standards.

More Ethical Direct Match

Productivity & Email

Alternatives to Google Workspace for organisations seeking ethical providers.

Proton Mail / Proton for Business

Global

Swiss encrypted email and productivity suite.

End-to-end encryption, Swiss privacy laws, no government backdoors.

More Ethical Better Quality

Tutanota

Global

German encrypted email provider.

Open source, German data protection.

More Ethical Cheaper

Zoho

Global

Comprehensive business suite including email, docs, and CRM.

India-based, comprehensive feature set.

Direct Match Cheaper

Comparison Legend

Direct MatchClear substitute for the same product/service
CheaperLower cost option
Better QualityProven superior performance/reliability
More EthicalAvoids human rights, labour, or environmental harm
SustainableStronger eco credentials (materials, energy, lifecycle)
Local SupplierSupports domestic/regional economy instead of Israel
Palestine-FriendlyExplicitly supportive or aligned with justice for Palestine

Strategic Analysis

In-depth assessment of the company's position, vulnerabilities, and recommended approaches for effective engagement.

CHALLENGING PRIORITY TARGET MONITORING TARGET Strategic Vulnerability → Severity → Severity: 8.5, Vulnerability: 5.5

High severity, lower vulnerability — requires long-term divestment pressure

Learn about our methodology — companies are categorised based on severity (harm potential) vs strategic vulnerability (campaign leverage).

Why do these scores change?

Unlike static boycott lists, our targeting model is dynamic. This company's position on the matrix is re-evaluated continually as we verify new contracts, divestments, or policy changes. Your reporting directly impacts this score.

Google represents one of the most strategically significant targets in the technology sector due to its $1.2 billion Project Nimbus contract providing cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities directly to the Israeli government and military. Internal company documents obtained by The Intercept reveal Google knew before signing that it would be unable to control how Israel uses its technology, including for potential human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza.

Key Leverage Points

  • Employee Activism: The No Tech for Apartheid campaign has 200+ closely involved Google workers and hundreds more sympathetic supporters. Sustained internal dissent creates reputational and talent retention costs.
  • ESG Vulnerability: Google's enterprise clients increasingly have ESG compliance requirements. The UN Special Rapporteur designation as part of a 'joint criminal enterprise' creates due diligence concerns for institutional customers.
  • Contract Lock-In Exposure: The 'Winking Mechanism' clause requiring secret alerts to Israel about foreign court data requests exposes Google to obstruction of justice allegations in multiple jurisdictions.
  • Brand Contradiction: The gap between Google's 'Don't Be Evil' legacy and its inability to terminate a contract even during documented war crimes creates powerful narrative vulnerability.

Documented Complicity

Project Nimbus provides cloud services to all branches of the Israeli government including the military, Shin Bet security agency, police, and prison services. Leaked Israeli Finance Ministry documents confirm that state weapons manufacturers Israel Aerospace Industries (maker of Heron killer drones used in Gaza) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems are required to use Google and Amazon cloud services under the contract. The Israel Land Authority, which administers land distribution in the illegally occupied West Bank, is also a confirmed customer.

In February 2025, Alphabet lifted its ban on using AI tools for military purposes, including weapons and surveillance development. The Washington Post reported that throughout 2024, Google processed multiple requests from the Israeli military for increased access to its AI technologies, including Gemini. This represents direct technical enablement of military operations that the International Criminal Court has charged involve crimes against humanity including extermination and starvation as a method of warfare (ICC, November 2024).

Engagement Strategy

Target Google's B2B relationships through procurement pressure. Focus on government cloud contracts (UK G-Cloud, EU institutions, US federal) where ESG compliance can be enforced. Engage institutional investors and pension funds with the UN Special Rapporteur findings. Support No Tech for Apartheid worker campaigns with external solidarity. Emphasise the hypocrisy between stated AI ethics principles and inability to prevent military use. For enterprise customers, frame contract review requests around due diligence obligations and legal exposure from association with ICC-documented war crimes.

Recognising Systemic Challenge

Google (Alphabet Inc.)'s products are integrated into the global economy and are often a critical part of the infrastructure of modern life. For many, immediate total boycott may not currently be feasible, least of all product usage in the workplace. This does not grant them immunity. We focus pressure on changing Google (Alphabet Inc.)'s behaviour to comply with International Law.

Your Role: We ask industry professionals and enterprise clients to challenge specific agreements from the inside. Use your status as a stakeholder to demand ethical boundaries. We aren't asking you to delete your account today; we're asking you to help cut their military contracts tomorrow. Join our volunteer network to contribute your expertise.

Evidence & Sources

Verified sources including NGO reports, regulatory filings, and primary documents. Use these to substantiate your correspondence.

Report
2025-08-26
UN Special Rapporteur: Google Part of 'Joint Criminal Enterprise' in Gaza

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese identified Microsoft, Amazon and Google as corporations part of a 'joint criminal enterprise' helping Israel carry out what the report calls genocide in Gaza.

Open source
Report
2025-05-12
The Intercept: Google Knew It Couldn't Control Israel's Use of Project Nimbus

Internal Google report warned 'Google Cloud Services could be used for, or linked to, the facilitation of human rights violations, including Israeli activity in the West Bank,' resulting in 'reputation harm.'

Open source
Report
2024-12-02
The Intercept: Documents Contradict Google's Claims About Project Nimbus

Contract documents show Project Nimbus doesn't operate under Google's general terms of service. Contract prohibits Google from restricting how Israel uses their products, even if it violates terms of service.

Open source
Report
2024-05-01
The Intercept: Project Nimbus Contract Ties Google to Israeli Arms Manufacturers

Israeli Finance Ministry documents reveal weapons manufacturers Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael are required to use Google/Amazon cloud services under Project Nimbus.

Open source
Report
2024-04-23
972 Magazine: Inside Israel's Deal with Google and Amazon

Detailed investigation of leaked Israeli Finance Ministry documents showing Project Nimbus provides cloud services to military, security services, weapons manufacturers, and Israel Land Authority (settlements).

Open source
News
2024-04-18
NPR: Google Fires 28 Workers Who Protested Selling Technology to Israel

Google terminated 28 employees following sit-in protests, with total firings reaching 50+. Company called protests 'completely unacceptable behavior.'

Open source
Report
2024-04-16
TIME: Google Workers Revolt Over $1.2 Billion Israel Contract

No Tech for Apartheid campaign has 200+ Google employees closely involved, with hundreds more sympathetic to goals. Employees staged sit-ins, occupied Cloud CEO office for 9+ hours.

Open source
NGO
2024-01-01
AFSC Investigate: Alphabet Inc. Company Profile

American Friends Service Committee investigation documenting Alphabet's involvement in providing technology to Israeli military and government.

Open source

Updates & Milestones

  1. UN Names Google in 'Joint Criminal Enterprise'

    UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese identifies Google, Amazon, and Microsoft as corporations abetting genocide in Gaza through military, surveillance, and economic support.

  2. Internal Human Rights Report Revealed

    The Intercept obtains confidential Google report showing company knew it couldn't control how Israel uses Project Nimbus technology before signing contract.

  3. Alphabet Lifts AI Military Ban

    Google parent company Alphabet removes restrictions on using AI tools for military purposes including weapons and surveillance development.

  4. Terms of Service Contradiction Exposed

    The Intercept reveals contract doesn't operate under Google's standard terms of service, prohibiting Google from restricting Israel's use even if it violates policies.

  5. Arms Manufacturer Connection Exposed

    The Intercept reveals Israeli weapons manufacturers Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael are required to use Google cloud under Project Nimbus.

  6. Sundar Pichai Memo on Political Debates

    CEO tells employees company is 'not a place to fight over disruptive issues or debate politics' days after mass firings.

  7. Sit-In Protests and Mass Firings

    Employees stage 10-hour sit-ins at New York and Sunnyvale offices, occupying Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian's office. Nine arrested for trespassing, 50+ workers fired.

  8. Engineer Fired for Public Protest

    Google Cloud software engineer fired after shouting 'I refuse to build technology that empowers genocide' at company event, going viral on social media.

  9. No Tech for Apartheid Campaign Launches

    Google and Amazon workers form No Tech for Apartheid movement demanding companies drop Project Nimbus contract.

  10. Project Nimbus Contract Signed

    Israeli Finance Ministry announces $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with Google and Amazon to provide services to government, defense establishment, and military units.

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