Microsoft has conducted an internal review following concerns that its Azure and AI technologies were being used by the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD) “to target civilians or cause harm in the conflict in Gaza”.
Earlier this year, an investigation conducted by the Associated Press claimed Microsoft’s commercial AI products were being used by the Israeli military.
The AP reported that Microsoft’s Azure technology was allegedly being used to “transcribe, translate, and process intelligence gathered through mass surveillance” which could be “cross-checked with Israel’s in-house AI-enabled targeting systems”.
Microsoft has since acknowledged that it provides the IMOD “with software, professional services, Azure cloud and AI services”, as detailed in a statement published earlier this week.
Following interviews with “dozens of employees and assessing documents”, it came to the conclusion that there was “no evidence to date” that these technologies “have been used to target or harm people” in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Microsoft clarified that it “works with countries and customers around the world, including the IMOD” and that “as with many governments around the world, [it] also work[s] with the Israeli government to protect its natural cyberspace against external threats.”
The firm emphasised that it had a “standard commercial relationship” with the IMOD. Microsoft did note that it “occasionally provides special access to [its] technologies beyond the terms of [its] commercial agreements”.
This included providing “emergency support to the Israeli government in the weeks following October 7, 2023, to help rescue hostages”.
“We provided this help with significant oversight on a limited basis, including approval of some requests and denial of others,” Microsoft said.
“We believe the company followed its principals on a considered and careful basis, to help save the lives of hostages while also honouring the privacy and rights of civilians in Gaza.”
Microsoft stated that the IMOD was “bound by Microsoft’s terms of services and conditions of use”, including the prohibition of the use of its cloud and AI services “in any manner that inflicts harm on individuals or organisations or affects individuals in any way that is prohibited by law.”
The company noted that militaries “typically use their own proprietary software or applications” for “surveillance and operations”, clarifying that it had “not created or provided such software or solutions to the IMOD”.
Microsoft said it was “important to acknowledge” that it does not have the ability to see “how customers use [its] software on their own servers and devices”.
Specifically, the firm said it did not “have visibility to the IMOD’s government cloud operations, which are supported through contracts with cloud providers other than Microsoft.”
“Microsoft has long defended the cybersecurity of the State of Israel and the people who live there,” the company’s statement concluded. “We similarly have long been committed to other nations and people across the Middle East.
“Our commitment to human rights guides how we engage in complex environments and how our technology is used. We share the profound concern over the loss of civilian life in both Israel and Gaza and have supported humanitarian assistance in both places.”
It continued: “The work we do everywhere in the world is informed and governed by our human rights commitments. Based on everything we currently know, we believe Microsoft has abided by these commitments in Israel and Gaza.”
As reported by our sister site Eurogamer, the No Azure for Apartheid petition has called for Microsoft to make the findings of its investigation public. The No Azure for Apartheid group is made up of current and former Microsoft employees.
Last month, the Palestinian BDS movement called for a boycott of Microsoft and Xbox in response to the company providing the IMOD with its services.
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