Following Mass Surveillance Scandal of Palestinians, Microsoft Tightens Human Rights Controls on Intelligence Networks

Technology giant Microsoft has announced it will tighten human rights controls when working with national security agencies. The decision follows the completion of an investigation into how the Israeli military used the company’s cloud technology to conduct mass surveillance of Palestinians. The investigation was ordered by Microsoft last year, following an exposé by The Guardian together with Israeli-Palestinian media outlets +972 Magazine and Local Call. That report revealed that Israel’s elite intelligence unit, Unit 8200, used Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform to store billions of intercepted phone call recordings of Palestinians every day. Shortly after the investigation began, Microsoft cut off the Israeli military’s access to its cloud and artificial intelligence services because it was proven to have violated the terms of service. In a summary of its final results, Microsoft stated that the factual findings remain the same and that it will adopt a series of recommendations to improve the effectiveness of human rights governance. The scandal triggered internal tension at Microsoft. Concerns emerged that some employees at Microsoft’s Israeli subsidiary were not transparent with headquarters regarding the activities of Unit 8200. Several sources mentioned a conflict of loyalty among Tel Aviv-based employees between their professional obligations to the company and support for the military following the 7 October attacks. Consequently, last month, the head of Microsoft’s business in Israel along with several managers were reported to have left the company due to code of conduct violations. Although not mentioning the staff departures in its summary document, Microsoft outlined new measures it will take. The company will change the way it screens business related to national security before contracts are signed. Furthermore, Microsoft will evaluate how it manages security clearances for foreign employees. This is crucial given that several Microsoft employees managing the project with Unit 8200 turned out to be former members or reservists of that surveillance unit. Other steps include periodic reviews to ensure that technology usage policies are adhered to by customers during new political situations or changes in sensitive projects, as well as strengthening the human rights due diligence process in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. Previously, Microsoft executives such as CEO Satya Nadella claimed they did not know that Azure was being used to store intercepted Palestinian communications. Microsoft asserted that it does not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians. Nevertheless, the disclosure of this scandal has sparked a wave of protests from shareholders, NGOs, and the workers’ group No Azure for Apartheid. At a conference in San Francisco this week, demonstrators unfurled banners reading: ‘Microsoft funds genocide’ and ‘cut ties with Israel now’.