09/26/2025
๐๐ข๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐จ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ณ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ ๐๐๐๐: ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ง๐ฌ.
In a twist that shakes the world of technology and geopolitics, Microsoft has cut off access to its Azure cloud services and certain artificial intelligence technologies for Unit 8200 of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The decision, officially announced yesterday, stemmed from an internal investigation that uncovered the misuse of the platform to store and analyze millions of intercepted phone calls from Palestinian civilians, in clear violation of the American company's terms of service.The Investigation That Shocked MicrosoftIt all began with an investigative report published in early August 2025 by The Guardian, in collaboration with +972 Magazine and Local Call. These independent media outlets brought to light a large-scale operation: Unit 8200, the elite of Israeli military intelligence known for its role in cyber-surveillance operations, was leveraging Azure to store approximately 8,000 terabytes of data. We're talking about over a million intercepted phone calls per hour from Gaza and the West Bank, used for surveillance purposes, suspect identification, and support for military operations.Microsoft's internal inquiry, overseen by President and Vice Chairman Brad Smith, confirmed the allegations. "We do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians," the company stated in an update on its official blog. As a result, Microsoft has "ceased and disabled a set of services to a unit of the Israeli Ministry of Defense," limiting access to Azure and certain AI tools. This move represents a rare instance of a tech giant openly opposing a key ally like Israel, amid growing tensions over the role of Big Tech in armed conflicts.The Reaction from Jerusalem: "Minimal Impact"Israeli authorities have downplayed the impact of the decision. Military officials revealed that sensitive data was transferred in record time to Amazon Web Services (AWS), the competing cloud service owned by Jeff Bezos. "There are no significant operational repercussions," an IDF spokesperson declared, emphasizing that the transition was completed without interruptions. Microsoft, for its part, continues to collaborate with other IDF units on services unrelated to surveillance, maintaining a complex relationship with the Jewish state.This is not the first friction between Microsoft and Israel. Just a few weeks ago, the company fired several employees involved in internal protests against the use of its technologies by the Israeli military. The case highlights a broader dilemma: while companies like Google and Amazon provide similar cloud services for intelligence operations, pressures from activists, NGOs, and governments are mounting. Human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, have welcomed Microsoft's move as a "step toward accountability," but warn that it is only the beginning of a debate on ethics and AI in conflict zones.Global Context: Big Tech in the CrosshairsThe decision comes at a critical moment for the tech sector. Accusations of technological complicity have taken a toll internally on companies. Microsoft, which has historically supported Israel through academic partnerships and investments, now finds itself balancing contractual obligations with ethical principles. Azure's terms of service explicitly prohibit use for "large-scale surveillance of individuals without consent," a clause that, according to analysts, could open the door to further legal actions.On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), the news has sparked a wave of polarized reactions. On one side, posts celebrating the "step toward justice" for Palestinians; on the other, criticisms labeling it a "symbolic gesture" in a US-Israel alliance as solid as iron. Cybersecurity experts, as cited by The Guardian, emphasize that the transfer to AWS does not solve the root problem: reliance on private clouds for sensitive operations exposes ethical and security vulnerabilities.Future Prospects: A Precedent for Ethical AI?As the world watches, this episode could mark a turning point. Microsoft has promised to strengthen internal controls on government clients, potentially influencing similar policies in Europe and the US. For Palestinians under constant surveillance, it is a glimmer of relief, but the road to "clean" technology is still long. As one activist tweeted: "One less cloud, but the watchfulness continues." It remains to be seen whether other Big Tech companies will follow suit, or if this will be just a parenthesis in an era of borderless AI.
