Global technology giant Microsoft has cut off the Israel Ministry of Defense from some of its key cloud and AI services following an internal investigation. The company concluded that the Israeli military appeared to be using its technology to store data obtained from the mass surveillance of phone calls made by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Citing Violation Of Terms
In an official blog post, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith announced the decision to “cease and disable” certain Azure cloud storage and AI service subscriptions for the Israeli military. He reiterated the company’s long-standing policy, stating, “We do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians. We have applied this principle in every country around the world, and we have insisted on it repeatedly for more than two decades.” The tech giant reportedly informed the Israeli government of its decision last week.
Investigation Sparked By Media Report
Microsoft’s review was initiated in August following an investigative story by The Guardian. The report detailed how Unit 8200, an elite Israeli military intelligence unit, was allegedly using Azure cloud services to house vast amounts of phone call data collected through the surveillance of Palestinians. Smith credited the newspaper’s reporting, noting that due to customer privacy policies, Microsoft cannot access a customer’s content and would not have been aware of the potential violation otherwise. The company has stated that its review is ongoing.
Relevance For The MENA Tech Ecosystem
This move by a major technology provider carries significant implications for the MENA tech landscape. It sets a powerful precedent for how global cloud and AI platforms will enforce their terms of service, particularly concerning government contracts in conflict-affected regions. For MENA startups, especially those in the SaaS, data, and security sectors, this event underscores the growing importance of ethical guidelines and robust compliance frameworks. Furthermore, the internal and external pressure Microsoft faced highlights a rising trend of employee and investor activism, a factor that regional companies may need to navigate as they scale and attract international talent and capital.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is a multinational technology corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. Its best-known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Azure cloud computing platform.
Source: TechCrunch
