Microsoft confirmed Thursday that it has disabled certain Azure cloud and AI services used by Israel’s Ministry of Defense (IMOD) following an internal review. The move came after a media investigation alleged the military had stored and processed mass recordings of Palestinian phone calls using Microsoft technology.
The decision, announced in a blog post by Microsoft President Brad Smith, underscores the company’s stance on preventing its technology from enabling civilian mass surveillance. “We do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians,” Smith stated.
The Guardian, along with +972 Magazine and Local Call, reported in August that an Israeli military agency had tapped Microsoft’s cloud services to collect vast amounts of data from Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Microsoft said its own findings supported parts of that reporting, particularly the use of Azure storage in the Netherlands.
Scope of Service Suspension
Microsoft emphasized that the restrictions are targeted, not sweeping. While subscriptions tied to cloud storage and AI services were suspended, the company will continue providing cybersecurity tools to Israel and other regional partners.
Key details of the suspension:
- Applies to Azure storage and AI services.
- Covers IMOD subscriptions under investigation.
- Does not affect Microsoft’s cybersecurity offerings.
- Review of Israel’s broader use of services is still ongoing.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the announcement. Earlier, the military maintained that its partnerships with firms like Microsoft are governed by “legally supervised agreements.”
Activist Pressure and Global Fallout
Microsoft’s decision drew praise from advocacy groups that had campaigned against its contracts in Israel. The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and No Azure for Apartheid, a tech worker-led campaign, called it a victory for transparency.
“This is a welcome step and a point of vindication for those brave tech workers who stood up and protested,” said Imraan Siddiqi, CAIR’s Washington state director.
The episode highlights the rising pressure on major tech firms amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel’s ongoing military operations have displaced the entire Gazan population and killed tens of thousands, according to U.N. estimates. Rights groups and scholars have described the campaign as genocidal, while Israel insists its actions are defensive, citing Hamas’ October 2023 assault that left 1,200 dead and over 250 hostages.
Microsoft itself has faced internal unrest. Employee-led protests against its Israel contracts have led to terminations, with the company citing workplace safety and policy breaches.
Conclusion:
By suspending cloud and AI services for Israel’s defense ministry, Microsoft has taken a rare step of limiting government access to its platforms. The outcome of its ongoing review may determine whether the company’s balancing act—between commercial contracts, ethical standards, and activist demands—can hold under intensifying scrutiny.
