Microsoft Ends Collaboration with Israeli Military for Surveillance Operations in Gaza and the West Bank
Microsoft has decided to cut off the Israeli military's access to technology used to operate a surveillance system that collected millions of Palestinian civilian phone calls in Gaza and the West Bank. The decision was made after it was revealed that Unit 8200, the military's elite spy agency, violated Microsoft's terms of service by storing surveillance data in its Azure cloud platform. This move follows an investigation that exposed how Azure was being used for mass surveillance of Palestinian communications.
The joint investigation by the Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call uncovered a collaboration between Microsoft and Unit 8200 to transfer sensitive intelligence material into Azure. This project, initiated after a meeting between Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella and Unit 8200's commander Yossi Sariel in 2021, allowed the spy agency to collect and analyze cellular calls on a massive scale. The surveillance data, amounting to 8,000 terabytes, was stored in a Microsoft datacenter in the Netherlands before being swiftly moved out of the country.
Microsoft's decision to terminate Unit 8200's access to key technology came after pressure from employees and investors over its involvement with Israel's military and its role in the Gaza offensive. The company stated that it does not provide technology for mass surveillance of civilians and has applied this principle globally for over two decades. This move marks the end of a three-year period during which Unit 8200 operated its surveillance program using Microsoft's technology.
The termination of services provided to the Israeli military is the first known case of a US technology company withdrawing support since the start of the conflict in Gaza. While the decision has not impacted Microsoft's broader commercial relationship with the IDF, it raises questions about storing sensitive military data in third-party clouds hosted overseas. Microsoft's reassessment of its relationship with the Israeli military was prompted by revelations about Unit 8200's use of Azure technology for surveillance purposes.
In conclusion, Microsoft's decision to cut off Unit 8200's access to technology used for surveillance operations in Gaza and the West Bank reflects the company's commitment to not facilitate mass surveillance of civilians. This move follows an investigation that exposed the collaboration between Microsoft and the Israeli military in storing and processing sensitive intelligence data. The termination of services highlights the growing scrutiny of tech companies' involvement in military operations and surveillance activities.