Microsoft has temporarily suspended some services to the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) after a review of recent allegations. As a company, Microsoft has the authority to decide what products and services it provides to customers. This decision was based on allegations that appeared in an August 6 article from The Guardian claiming that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were using Microsoft Azure to store data from the broad surveillance of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
The company’s review of these allegations was guided by two key principles: a commitment to privacy as a fundamental right and a strict policy against providing technology for mass civilian surveillance. Microsoft maintains that its standard terms of service prohibit the use of its technology for such purposes. Furthermore, in its investigation, the company did not access any of IMOD’s customer content to protect their privacy rights. Instead, the review focused on Microsoft’s internal business records, including financial statements and communications.
Although the review is still in progress, Microsoft has found evidence that supports parts of The Guardian’s reporting. This evidence relates to IMOD’s use of specific Azure storage capacity in the Netherlands and the use of AI services. As a result, Microsoft has informed IMOD of its decision to suspend specific subscriptions and services to ensure compliance with its terms of service.
The company’s action does not affect its important cybersecurity work with Israel and other countries in the Middle East, including those under the Abraham Accords. Microsoft also expressed appreciation for The Guardian’s reporting, which helped inform the company’s review with external information that it couldn’t access due to its customer privacy commitments.
This decision reflects Microsoft’s commitment to being a company guided by principles and ethics. The company’s review is ongoing, and it plans to share more information, including lessons learned, in the coming days and weeks.
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