by Windows Central
After months of protests and reporting, Microsoft will now block the Israeli military from using some of its services.
Microsoft’s vice chairman and president has Brad Smith shared an internal memo sent to employees this morning that confirms the company is moving to block the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) from using some of its cloud AI and Azure services.
The Guardian had originally reported that the Israeli government was using Microsoft’s services to store data and recordings of calls from Palestinians. Microsoft has now admitted that it has found “elements” of The Guardian’s report to be true and is now moving to disable specific IMOD subscriptions and services.
“We have found evidence that supports elements of The Guardian’s reporting. This evidence includes information relating to IMOD consumption of Azure storage capacity in the Netherlands and the use of AI services.” says Brad Smith. “We therefore have informed 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.”
Smith also reminds Microsoft employees that the company does not build technology to be used for mass surveillance of civilians in any country. “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.”
Microsoft says that its internal review regarding the report from The Guardian is…
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