United States tech company Microsoft has suspended certain services to Israeli military Unit 8200 amid allegations that the unit utilized the company’s cloud computing software for surveillance on millions of Palestinians. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, confirmed the suspension in a blog post, stating that the company has “ceased and disabled a set of services” provided to a unit within the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
This decision follows an August 6 investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and the Hebrew-language outlet Local Call, which reported that Unit 8200 used Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform to store phone data collected through mass surveillance in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Smith emphasized that Microsoft does not provide technology for mass civilian surveillance, stating, “This principle has guided our operations worldwide for more than two decades.” He acknowledged that evidence supports elements of The Guardian’s reporting, particularly regarding Azure storage and its AI services.
The review conducted by Microsoft determined that the Israeli military’s use of its cloud services violated the company’s terms of service. “Microsoft will continue to be a company guided by principles and ethics,” Smith asserted.
Unit 8200, Israel’s elite cyber warfare unit, conducts operations including signal intelligence collection and surveillance. The investigation revealed that an agreement formed following a 2021 meeting between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Unit 8200 leader Yossi Sariel resulted in transferring sensitive intelligence data to Microsoft’s Azure platform, operational since 2022. This system enabled Unit 8200 to leverage Azure’s capabilities to collect, playback, and analyze phone calls of millions of Palestinians, aiding Israel in military operations.
After the recent Gaza war, increased usage of Microsoft products by the Israeli military was reported, with significant cloud storage and AI-powered translation tools utilized for surveillance. Although Microsoft acknowledged providing support during the war for locating Israeli captives, it claimed an internal review found no evidence Azure was used to harm civilians.
In reaction to the suspension, the “No Azure for Apartheid” campaign, which advocates for terminating all Azure contracts with the Israeli military, lauded the decision but criticized it as insufficient, noting that other military units remain unaffected. They asserted, “Microsoft’s executives must understand there is no legal, ethical, or moral way of doing any business with an entity committing genocide and ethnic cleansing.”
They highlighted that this is the first instance of a U.S. technology company withdrawing services from the Israeli military amid allegations of genocide. The decision followed extensive pressure from protests and campaigns, including significant actions at Microsoft’s headquarters and public demonstrations.
No Azure for Apartheid activists urge continued pressure on Microsoft to sever all ties with the Israeli military, emphasizing the need to confront companies contributing to the alleged ongoing genocide. A recent UN report identified Microsoft alongside other corporations as aiding Israel’s actions against Palestinians, violating international law.
Historically, Microsoft has faced backlash for employee protests against its dealings with the Israeli military, with some employees dismissed for expressing opposition during company events. The recent actions mark a significant turning point in the technology company’s relationship with the Israeli military.
Tags: Gaza genocide, Microsoft suspension, Israeli military, critics response, services halt
Hashtags: #Gaza #genocideMicrosoft #suspends #services #Israeli #military #critics #call #move #insufficient
