Introduction to Microsoft’s Decision
Microsoft has blocked an Israeli military unit from access to some services after provisional evidence supported a media examination that the software was used to monitor Palestinian civil calls. The device used the Azure software from Microsoft to save "millions" of records of mobile phone calls that live from Palestinians who live in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Background of the Incident
The examination led to an internal review by Microsoft, in the details of the IMOD consumption of the Israel Department of Defense in the Netherlands, and the use of AI services supported the reporting. According to a joint examination published in August, the device used Azure software to store millions of records of mobile phone calls from Palestinians.
Microsoft’s Stance on Mass Surveillance
Microsoft President Brad Smith stated, "We do not offer technology to facilitate the mass surveillance of civilians." He said the decision to "set and deactivate certain imod subscriptions", including the use of specific cloud storage and AI services, would not affect the cyber security services of Microsoft in Israel and other countries of the Middle East.
Reaction from IMOD and Pro-Palestinian Groups
A spokesman for IMOD told that it has no comment after the announcement by Microsoft. In August, the military informed that Microsoft "did not work with the (Israeli military) of the storage or processing of data". Pro-Palestinian groups who welcomed Microsoft’s decision to block the Israeli military of certain services considered it a "confirmation of those courageous technology workers who stand up and protested".
Impact and Aftermath
Microsoft was the goal of protests about his connections to Israel, including one of the group operated by the technology, which was referred to as No Azure for Apartheid. The decision is seen as a significant step in addressing concerns around mass surveillance and the use of technology in conflict zones.
