Trump: Microsoft should immediately fire Lisa Monaco

Trump: Microsoft should immediately fire Lisa Monaco

Microsoft has announced that it has disabled certain Azure services used by Israel’s military for storing phone calls acquired through mass surveillance in Gaza and the West Bank. The decision, communicated internally and later made public, is part of an ongoing review process aimed at ensuring compliance with Microsoft's terms of service and respecting the privacy rights of civilians.

Brad Smith, vice chair and president at Microsoft, stated that the company has informed Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) of its decision to cease and disable specified IMOD subscriptions and their services, including cloud storage and AI technologies. The move follows an internal investigation that examined Microsoft's financial statements, internal documents, and communications. The investigation did not involve accessing the content IMOD holds, as doing so would violate customer privacy rights.

The review began after The Guardian published an article revealing that Microsoft had helped Israel’s military surveillance agency, Unit 8200, collect and store millions of everyday phone calls in Gaza and the West Bank. Microsoft confirmed elements of The Guardian’s reporting, including the use of Azure storage capacity in the Netherlands and AI services.

The decision to disable these services aligns with Microsoft’s principles of not providing technology for mass surveillance of civilians and respecting customer privacy rights. The company has faced internal and external pressure, including protests from employees and advocacy groups like No Azure for Apartheid. In April, two Microsoft employees were fired for interrupting executives’ speeches to protest the company’s conduct in Israel.

This move has significant implications for Microsoft’s operations and reputation, particularly in the tech industry and among investors. It highlights the ethical considerations and potential risks associated with providing cloud services to entities involved in controversial activities.