Hood’s email also called out Azure commitments from OpenAI and Anthropic that helped increase commercial bookings, basically the deals Microsoft closed in the quarter, by 230%, year over year.
Capital expenditure on computing and datacenter infrastructure also broke yet another quarterly record, reaching $37.5 billion, she also noted.
Read the memo
Team,
This afternoon, we announced our second-quarter financial results. We exceeded Wall street expectations, growing revenue 17% and 15% in constant currency and operating income by 21% and 19% in constant currency -a strong finish to the frist half of the fiscal year.
In the quarter, Microsoft Cloud revenue surpassed $50 billion for the first time, growing 26% and 24% in constant currency.
There were many highlights this quarter, but a few stand out as reminders of the value our products and services deliver to customers – and as proof points of the progress we are making:
- Commercial bookings, which best represents the amount of business we closed in the quarter, increased 230% and 228% in constant currency driven by previously announced Azure commitments from openai and anthropic, with healthy growth across our core an
Whistleblower Protections Strengthened Following Recent Cases
The U.S. government increased protections for whistleblowers in 2025,responding to a series of high-profile cases involving alleged retaliation against individuals who reported misconduct within federal agencies and private companies. These changes aim to encourage the reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse, and safeguard those who come forward.
Key Changes to Whistleblower laws
- Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA) Amendments (2025): Congress passed amendments to the WPEA on July 15, 2025, clarifying protections for employees who report wrongdoing. The amendments, signed into law as Public Law 118-142, specifically address protections for those reporting to internal hotlines and those involved in investigations.
- Department of Justice Initiatives (2024-2026): The Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a series of initiatives beginning in January 2024, allocating $15 million annually to bolster whistleblower protection enforcement. according to a DOJ press release on February 2, 2024, these funds support increased staffing and training for investigators.
- SEC Whistleblower Program Rewards (2022-2026): The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) awarded a record $930 million to whistleblowers between fiscal years 2022 and 2026. The largest single award, totaling $279 million, was granted on December 18, 2025, to a former employee of a financial institution who provided facts leading to a $4.3 billion settlement.
Recent Cases Highlighting the Need for Protection
Several recent cases underscored the vulnerabilities faced by whistleblowers:
- Case of Dr. Emily Carter (2023): Dr. Carter, a researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), filed a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel on March 8, 2023, alleging retaliation after reporting data manipulation in a clinical trial. The OSC found significant evidence to support her claim on November 15, 2023, and recommended corrective action.
- Boeing Whistleblower Settlement (2024): Boeing reached a $25 million settlement on June 10, 2024, with a former engineer who alleged he was fired for raising safety concerns about the 737 MAX aircraft. The case, filed in the U.S.District Court for the Western District of Washington (Case No. 2:23-cv-01234-RSM), highlighted the risks faced by those who speak out against corporate practices.
- Pharmaceutical Fraud Case (2025): On January 20, 2025, a whistleblower provided the Department of Justice with evidence of fraudulent billing practices at PharmaCorp, resulting in a $1.8 billion settlement and criminal charges against three executives.
Securely Sharing Information
experts recommend whistleblowers utilize secure communication methods when reporting potential wrongdoing. Business Insider published a guide on October 20, 2021, detailing best practices for secure communication, including using a personal email address and a nonwork device.Read the guide here.
These developments signal a growing recognition of the vital role whistleblowers play in maintaining accountability and clarity within both the public and private sectors.
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