Microsoft Disables Cloud and AI Services for Israeli Ministry of Defense

On Thursday, Microsoft announced it has disabled cloud and AI services used by certain divisions of the Israeli Ministry of Defense. This decision came after the company found initial evidence supporting recent media claims regarding surveillance systems in Gaza and the West Bank.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, mentioned that the review was initiated following an article from the Guardian, which raised concerns about the Israeli Defense Forces’ activities.

A joint investigation by the Guardian, along with +972 Magazine and Local Call, revealed that Israeli military regulators were utilizing Microsoft’s Azure platform to store a significant number of phone recordings from interactions involving both Israeli forces and Palestinians in Gaza.

The investigation highlighted that the Israeli military extensively relies on Microsoft Cloud for surveillance of Palestinians.

While Microsoft is still reviewing the situation, the company confirmed it has identified elements that align with the Guardian’s findings, particularly concerning Azure’s storage capabilities and the deployment of AI services.

In Smith’s words on Microsoft’s blog, “We don’t provide the technology to promote large-scale civilian surveillance.”

Microsoft has communicated to the Israeli Ministry of Defense its intention to suspend and disable specific IMOD subscriptions and related services, which include certain cloud storage and AI technologies.

Smith noted that this legal action will not impact Microsoft’s cybersecurity provisions for Israel and other nations in the Middle East.

Back in late August, Microsoft terminated four employees who protested the company’s ties with Israel, as the conflict in Gaza escalated. The company stated this was due to a serious breach of policies, and that the demonstrations raised significant safety concerns.