Last year’s big news involved Microsoft Azure cloud technology being misused by Israeli security forces – Unit 8200 – to spy on Palestinian phone conversations since 2022 with the data collected later used to help carry out airstrikes and plan military operations in Gaza and the West Bank.
After this abuse was reported, Israel’s Azure contract was canceled and Microsoft Israel’s CEO was fired. Last week, Microsoft announced new steps to strengthen human rights controls in cooperation with national security agencies following an investigation into the use of its technology by the Israeli military.
Microsoft said it would implement several reforms such as tightening the vetting process for national security-related projects. Also being done is a review of how it manages employees with certain “security levels” of countries. In addition, periodic inspections of compliance with usage policies will be carried out and a strengthening of the process for due diligence on human rights in conflict areas.
