Microsoft has launched an internal investigation following some explosive allegations. As per reports, it was claimed that Israel’s military intelligence used Microsoft’s Azure Cloud platform for mass monitoring Palestinians. Reports have even raised concerns over the tech giant’s compliance with its terms of service. With the investigation that comes after increased pressure from activists and employees demanding Microsoft’s accountability, it is being examined whether the claims are true.Here is all you need to know about the entire concern and what has led to it.
Microsoft is scrutinizing the role of Azure Cloud in alleged surveillance
Microsoft, as per reports, is currently reviewing whether Microsoft Azure Cloud services were exploited by Israel’s Unit 8200, a spy agency. As alleged, they used it for archiving millions of intercepted Palestinian phone calls per hour that later played a part in the identification of their targets for strikes. As per reports, the unit stored a vast amount of the recorded communications from the West Bank and Gaza on the servers of Microsoft.While Microsoft has unequivocally stated that using Azure for broad surveillance violates the terms, the executives now reportedly fear that the employees from Microsoft’s Israel office might have concealed certain details about the scope of the project—Azure storage operation. The company has even engaged some external lawyers from Covington & Burling to lead this entire inquiry, putting emphasis on the fact that mass surveillance violates the company’s policies. If the alleged claims are confirmed, the findings can strain the relationship between Microsoft and the government clients.
Mounting pressure on Microsoft demand transparency
Pressure seems to be mounting on Microsoft internally, with the worker-led group named “No Azure for Apartheid,” urging the giant to sever ties with Israel’s military. The group, as reported, accused the company of enabling the human rights violations by their “complicity in genocide” and even dismissing the investigation as part of their “stalling tactic.” Protests happening at the Microsoft events have further amplified the demands for an independent audit.Microsoft, meanwhile, maintains the earlier stance that there is no evidence that can link the tech to civilian harm in Gaza. However, limited visibility within private server usage has complicated the entire oversight process. The company has acknowledged that all new allegations are quite precise. As per them, they demand an urgent and complete review. They have pledged to disclose the findings of the investigation publicly. However, the activists are sceptical and are pushing for an immediate contract cancellation.