Microsoft Cuts Off Some Services to Israeli Defense Unit Over Gaza Surveillance Concerns

Microsoft has cut some cloud services to the Israeli Defense Unit after reports of Gaza mass surveillance. The move ensures Azure is not used for civilian data collection, reflecting Microsoft’s stance on ethical technology and compliance.

San Francisco: Microsoft on Thursday said it cut an Israeli defense unit's access to some cloud services apparently being used as part of a mass surveillance operation in Gaza.

The move came after Microsoft spent more than two months investigating a report in The Guardian that the Israeli Defense Force was using cloud service Azure "for the storage of data files of phone calls obtained through broad or mass surveillance of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank."

"We have found evidence that supports elements of The Guardian's reporting," Microsoft president Brad Smith said in a message to employees posted online.

"We do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians."

Microsoft reviewed the decision with the Israel Ministry of Defense along with steps the tech firm is taking to ensure compliance, according to Smith.

"This does not impact the important work that Microsoft continues to do to protect the cybersecurity of Israel and other countries in the Middle East," Smith said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed)