Get caught up on the latest technology and startup news from the past week. Here are the most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of Aug. 24, 2025.
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Most popular stories on GeekWire
Microsoft President Brad Smith reclaims his office to address infiltration, protests, Israel contracts
Updated below with details about Microsoft firing two employees. … Read More
Protesters occupy Microsoft president’s office at Redmond HQ in latest action over Israel contracts
Protesters infiltrated the Microsoft building in Redmond where CEO Satya Nadella and other top executives have their offices Tuesday afternoon, occupying the office of Microsoft President Brad Smith and resisting security guards before being removed and arrested by police. The group locked arms in the meeting area of Smith’s office, taped a mock court summons to a large monitor nearby, and livestreamed their protest on Twitch as they chanted, “Free Palestine.” The Verge reported that Building 34 was temporarily locked down because of the protest. … Read More
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s final act: New $3.1B foundation bets big on science and tech
Even in the final years of his life, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen was as excited as ever about what the future would bring for science, technology, and the world — telling GeekWire in a 2017 interview, “It really is a golden age of what’s possible.” Allen’s optimism — and the impact of his wealth — will live on in a new nonprofit foundation charged with making bold bets on the future. … Read More
Tech Moves: Google VP departs; T-Mobile shakeup; Nvidia’s new product leader; and more
— Marketing vet Brian Hall has left Google for a new, undisclosed position. … Read More
Protesters deny planting listening devices inside Microsoft exec’s office; company fires four workers
A group that infiltrated Microsoft’s headquarters building this week disputed the company’s account of the incident — describing their sit-in as nonviolent and saying the “listening devices” allegedly left behind were phones that fell from their pockets when they were arrested. … Read More
Microsoft poaches more Google DeepMind talent as Dave Citron joins as new corporate VP
Dave Citron, a former senior director of product at Google DeepMind, has joined Microsoft’s AI group as corporate vice president — the latest high-profile move in the escalating battle for AI talent. … Read More
Uber to pay $15M in record labor settlement with Seattle, impacting more than 16,000 couriers
Uber Eats has agreed to pay $15 million to more than 16,000 delivery workers in Seattle after reaching a settlement with the city’s labor standards office over allegations that the tech giant violated laws regulating how workers are paid. … Read More
Rec Room lays off half its staff in major shakeup at Seattle startup
Seattle-based startup Rec Room, once valued at $3.5 billion, is laying off about half of its staff in a sweeping restructuring. … Read More
Tech leaders help celebrate India’s new consulate in downtown Seattle
Tech company leaders joined top politicians to help celebrate the official opening of India’s new consulate in Seattle on Tuesday. … Read More
UiPath hires former F5 executive as CMO, relocates Bellevue offices to Lincoln Square
AI automation giant UiPath announced Monday that it hired Seattle-based marketing vet Michael Atalla as its new chief marketing officer and separately confirmed it is moving its Bellevue, Wash., offices to the city’s Lincoln Square development in September. … Read More