Microsoft Restricts Israeli Military’s Access to Key AI, Cloud Tools
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is blocking the Israeli military’s access to specific cloud and AI services used for mass surveillance of Palestinian civilians.
– The decision follows an internal review that found evidence supporting reports of the Israeli government storing vast amounts of Palestinian call data on Azure.
– This action only affects a specific set of services for one unit and does not impact Microsoft’s other cybersecurity contracts with the Israeli government.
– The Israeli military has reportedly moved data off Azure and plans to transfer it to Amazon Web Services.
– The decision follows pressure from employee protests and activist groups, who view it as a significant win but demand further action to end all contracts.
Microsoft has taken the significant step of restricting the Israeli military’s access to specific cloud and AI services, following an internal review that confirmed these tools were involved in mass surveillance operations targeting Palestinian civilians. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, detailed the decision in a company-wide memo, explaining that certain subscriptions held by the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) have been disabled to ensure compliance with Microsoft’s terms of service.
The action comes after investigative reports revealed that the Israeli government was using Azure cloud infrastructure to store an enormous volume of intercepted communications, reportedly up to a million calls per hour. Smith stated that while Microsoft’s assessment is still underway, initial findings corroborated enough of these allegations to warrant immediate measures. He emphasized that the company does not provide technology to support the mass surveillance of civilian populations.
It is important to note that this suspension applies only to a particular set of services used by one unit within the IMOD. Other agreements between Microsoft and the Israeli government remain active, including cybersecurity cooperation under frameworks like the Abraham Accords. Shortly after news of the potential suspension broke last month, the Israeli military began migrating approximately 8TB of data away from Azure, with indications pointing toward a transition to Amazon Web Services.
Pressure from both media exposés and internal employee activism appears to have influenced Microsoft’s decision. Recently, the company terminated five employees who were involved in protests against its contracts with Israel, including demonstrations that saw activists occupy a company building and even livestream from inside Brad Smith’s office. The group No Azure for Apartheid, which has been campaigning publicly for over a year, celebrated the move as a major victory.
An organizer for the group, Hossam Nasr, called the decision “unprecedented,” noting that it makes Microsoft the first major U.S. tech firm to curtail some technology sales to the Israeli military since the recent escalation in Gaza. However, he and other activists argue that the action is insufficient, as it affects only a small portion of the broader military contract. They have pledged to continue their campaign until Microsoft severs all related agreements.
(Source: The Verge)
