Microsoft has restricted the Israel Ministry of Defense from accessing certain technologies and services after an internal review determined the ministry was apparently using Microsoft’s tools to store surveillance information on phone conversations involving Palestinians.
On Thursday, the company revealed it had chosen to “terminate and deactivate” specific subscriptions held by the Israeli military, including Azure cloud storage and selected artificial intelligence services.
“We do not supply technology that enables widespread surveillance of civilians,” wrote Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president, in a blog post. “This standard is enforced globally and has been a core part of our approach for over twenty years. That’s why, on August 15, we publicly clarified that Microsoft’s standard service terms forbid using our technology for mass civilian surveillance.”
According to The Guardian, Microsoft notified Israel of this decision last week.
This move comes as a result of Microsoft’s ongoing investigation, which began in August. The probe was prompted by a report from The Guardian that revealed Unit 8200, Israel’s elite military intelligence division, was utilizing Azure cloud services to store data collected from monitoring phone calls of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Smith also expressed gratitude in his blog post for The Guardian’s initial coverage, noting that without it, the company would not have known to investigate, as customer privacy rules prevent Microsoft from accessing clients’ content.
“As employees, we all share a commitment to safeguarding privacy, since it builds the trust our customers place in our services and is vital to our business,” Smith added.
Microsoft stated that the review is still underway, but declined to provide TechCrunch with further details about what remains under examination.
Over the past year, Microsoft has faced criticism from staff and the public regarding its ties to Israel. Demonstrations against the company’s relationship with Israel occurred during its 50th anniversary event in April. In August, a group of employees held a sit-in at Smith’s office, resulting in a lockdown.
In recent months, Microsoft has dismissed several employees for their activism concerning the company’s contracts with Israel.