Microsoft cuts cloud services to Israeli military unit over Palestinian surveillance

In a significant move, Microsoft has halted access to certain technologies and services for the Israel Ministry of Defense following an internal investigation. The inquiry revealed that the organization was reportedly utilizing Microsoft's technology to store surveillance data on phone calls made by Palestinians. On Thursday, the tech giant publicly announced its decision to 'cease and disable' specific subscriptions connected to the Israeli military, which includes Azure cloud storage and various AI services. Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, stated in a blog post, 'We do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians.' He emphasized that this principle has been upheld globally for over two decades. The decision comes after an ongoing review initiated in August, in response to a report by The Guardian. This report highlighted that Unit 8200, Israel's elite military intelligence unit, was allegedly using Azure to store data from surveillance activities targeting Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. In his blog, Smith acknowledged the importance of The Guardian’s reporting, noting that it prompted Microsoft to investigate the issue, as customer privacy laws prevent them from accessing customer data directly. Smith also articulated the company's commitment to privacy protection, underscoring that it fosters trust among customers. Although the review is still underway, Microsoft has refrained from commenting on specifics of the ongoing investigation. Over the past year, Microsoft has faced mounting criticism from both employees and the public regarding its ties to Israel. Protests erupted during the company’s 50th anniversary celebration in April, and in August, employees staged a sit-in at Smith's office, leading to a lockdown. The company has also terminated several employees in recent months due to their activism concerning Microsoft’s contracts with Israel.