In a significant move, Microsoft has terminated the Israel Ministry of Defense’s access to certain technological services following an internal investigation. This decision was prompted by findings that indicated the organization may have been utilizing Microsoft’s technology to store surveillance data concerning phone calls made by Palestinians. The tech giant announced this decision on Thursday, stating that it would “cease and disable” specific subscriptions associated with the Israeli military.
This action affects subscriptions related to Azure cloud storage and various AI services. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president, emphasized in a blog post, “We do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians.” He reiterated the company’s long-standing commitment to this principle, stating that it has been upheld globally for over two decades. “This is why we explained publicly on August 15 that Microsoft’s standard terms of service prohibit the use of our technology for mass surveillance of civilians,” Smith added.
The decision to cut off access was communicated to Israel last week, as reported by The Guardian. This move follows an ongoing review that began in August, which was triggered by a report from The Guardian. The report highlighted that Unit 8200, an elite Israeli military intelligence unit, was allegedly utilizing Azure cloud storage to store data on phone calls obtained through the surveillance of Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank.
In his blog post, Smith acknowledged the role of The Guardian’s initial reporting in prompting the investigation. He noted that without this critical coverage, the company would not have been aware of the situation. “Due to customer privacy rights, we can’t access a customer’s content,” Smith explained. He emphasized the collective responsibility among employees to protect privacy, as it enhances the trust customers place in Microsoft’s services.
While Microsoft stated that the review into the matter is still active, the company declined to provide further comments to TechCrunch regarding the specifics of what remains under review. Over the past year, Microsoft has faced scrutiny from both employees and the public regarding its associations with Israel. Protests erupted during the company’s 50th anniversary celebration in April, and in August, several employees participated in a sit-in at Smith’s office, leading to a lockdown.
This situation underscores the ongoing conversation about the ethical implications of technology use in military and surveillance contexts. As Microsoft navigates this complex landscape, its commitment to privacy and ethical practices will be closely watched by both its customers and stakeholders worldwide.
