Microsoft Restricts Israeli Tech Use for Palestinian Surveillance
▼ Summary
– Microsoft has terminated the Israeli military’s access to its cloud storage and AI services after an investigation found a violation of its terms of service.
– The violation involved Israel’s Unit 8200 storing a vast amount of surveillance data on Palestinian civilians in Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform.
– This decision was a direct result of a Guardian report and is considered a victory by groups like the BDS Movement, which had been calling for a boycott of Microsoft.
– Microsoft’s Vice Chair confirmed the decision was made to ensure services are not used for mass surveillance but clarified it does not affect other cybersecurity work with Israel.
– Despite this action, Microsoft maintains other relationships with the Israel Defense Forces, and the BDS Movement continues to urge a full boycott.
A significant development has emerged concerning the use of American technology in conflict zones, as Microsoft has terminated an Israeli military unit’s access to its cloud and AI services. This action follows an internal investigation confirming that the technology was employed for the mass surveillance of Palestinian civilians, a direct violation of the company’s terms of service. The decision marks a pivotal moment for corporate accountability in the tech industry.
According to reports, Microsoft disabled subscriptions for Israel’s Ministry of Defense (IMOD), specifically cutting off Unit 8200, a signals intelligence agency, from its Azure cloud platform and associated artificial intelligence tools. An external review was launched after allegations surfaced that the unit was storing a massive collection of surveillance data, including intercepted phone calls from Gaza and the West Bank, on Microsoft’s servers. The company concluded that this activity breached its policies, which prohibit using its services for widespread surveillance of civilian populations.
This move is seen as a major success for advocacy groups and Microsoft employees who have pressured the company to end its involvement with Israeli military operations. Earlier this year, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement added Microsoft to its boycott list, labeling the corporation as deeply complicit in Israel’s occupation. The campaign specifically targeted popular Microsoft-owned products like Xbox Game Pass, Minecraft, and Call of Duty, urging consumers to cancel subscriptions.
In a communication to staff, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith acknowledged that reporting by The Guardian was the catalyst for the company’s internal probe. He stated that the investigation uncovered evidence supporting key elements of the news outlet’s findings, including details about the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s use of Azure storage capacity in the Netherlands. Smith emphasized that the decision is focused on compliance with service terms and does not affect Microsoft’s other cybersecurity work with Israel and regional partners under agreements like the Abraham Accords.
Despite this significant step, Microsoft maintains other contractual relationships with the Israel Defense Forces. The company continues to provide certain technologies and services, meaning the boycott campaign is unlikely to cease. The BDS movement has already issued a new statement, calling for the boycott of Xbox products to continue until Microsoft completely severs all ties with the Israeli government. This incident represents the first known instance of a major U.S. company withdrawing resources from Israel since the onset of the war in Gaza.
(Source: Kotaku)
