Microsoft “ceases and disables” some of its services to Israel Ministry of Defence

Microsoft has “ceased and disabled a set of services” to part of the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD) following an ongoing review.

The firm’s vice chair and president Brad Smith informed employees that it reviewed a report by The Guardian that alleged a unit within the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) was “using Azure for the storage of data files and phone calls obtained through broad or mass surveillance of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.”

Smith said Microsoft had “found evidence that supports elements of The Guardian’s reporting”, and that it includes “information relating to IMOD consumption of Azure storage capacity in the Netherlands and the use of AI services.”

“We therefore have informed the IMOD of Microsoft’s decision to cease and disable specified IMOD subscriptions and their services, including their use of specific cloud storage and AI services and technologies,” said Smith.

“We have reviewed this decision with the IMOD and the steps we are taking to ensure compliance with our terms of service, focused on ensuring our services are not used for mass surveillance of civilians.”

Smith clarified that this choice “does not impact the important work Microsoft continues to do to protect the cybersecurity of Israel and other countries in the Middle East, including under the Abraham Accords.”

Pro-Palestine group No Azure for Apartheid described Microsoft’s decision as “a significant and unprecedented win for the campaign and [its] organising.”

“Within less than a month of our sit-in in Brad Smith’s office, Microsoft has taken the significant decision to become the first US tech company to stop the sale of some technologies to the Israeli military since the start of the genocide in Gaza,” said No Azure for Apartheid organiser Hossam Nasr (via The Verge).

“The vast majority of Microsoft’s contract with the Israeli military remains intact. [This decision] only motivates us more to continue our organising until all of our demands are met, and until Palestine is free.”

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced it had conducted an internal review following an investigation by the Associated Press.

Reporting claimed that the firm’s commercial AI products were being used by the IMOD “to target civilians or cause harm in the conflict in Gaza.”

The tech giant acknowledged that it provided the IMOD “with software, professional services, Azure and Cloud AI services” but concluded there was “no evidence to date” that its AI technology had “been used to target or harm people” in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Microsoft emphasised that it had a “standard commercial relationship with the IMOD” and it was “bound by Microsoft’s terms of services and conditions of use”.

This includes the prohibition of using its cloud and AI services “in any manner that inflicts harm on individuals or organisations or affects individuals in any way that is prohibited by law.”

Last month, 18 members of No Azure for Apartheid were arrested outside of Microsoft HQ in Redmond, Washington, during the second day of protests.

Members claimed that Microsoft and Redmond police retaliated against its “peaceful opposition of war crimes” with “the brutal mass arrest of 18 protestors, chemical weapons, and physical violence.”

The police department confirmed the arrests took place, and claimed protestors “resisted and became aggressive” and were arrested on charges including alleged “trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and obstruction.”