Microsoft launches 'Urgent Probe' into Azure cloud business in Israel for which it had once faced "Shame on you" protests from some employees
has launched an "urgent" probe into whether its cloud technology is being used by Israel for a large-scale surveillance operation targeting Palestinians. The announcement follows a new report from The Guardian and comes after two years of protests from both within and outside the company over its contracts with Israel. The company claims it's launched an 'urgent' probe into whether its cloud business is being used by Israel to conduct a massive surveillance operation in Gaza. Microsoft has seen some of its events disrupted by pro-Palestian protestors in the last two years. This includes its 50th anniversary celebrations as well.
During Microsoft's 50th anniversary celebrations, an employee disrupted the keynote event where Microsoft's three CEOs -- two former and one current -- were on stage. In another 50th anniversary event, an employees reportedly yelled 'Shame on you' while calling the company's head of AI a 'war profiteer' who was 'using AI for genocide.'
What the report claims on Microsoft and Israel's intelligence agency
The Guardian's report claims that Unit 8200, Israel's intelligence agency, has been using a customized and isolated area of Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. According to the report, this cloud setup was used to create a system that records and stores millions of daily phone calls made by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The report alleges that this arrangement was part of a deal with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
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Microsoft's probe will be led by attorneys from the law firm Covington & Burling. In a statement to The Guardian, the company said the new report "raises additional and precise allegations that merit a full and urgent review." The company also noted that if Israel is using Azure for mass surveillance of civilians, it would be a violation of Microsoft's terms of service.
This is the second time Microsoft has opened a legal review into its relationship with the Israeli government. A previous probe was launched earlier this year following employee protests, which have disrupted company events and conferences. That investigation, which concluded in May, found "no evidence to date that Microsoft's Azure and AI technologies have been used to target or harm people in the conflict in Gaza." The new probe, however, will specifically address the claims of widespread surveillance.
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