Israel Utility of Microsoft Cloud for Extensive Storage of Call Data, Primarily for Surveillance Purposes against Palestinians
In a controversial move, Microsoft has partnered with Israel's military intelligence Unit 8200 to develop a customised Azure cloud platform infrastructure. This partnership, which began after a 2021 meeting between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Unit 8200's head, Yossi Sariel, has enabled the Israeli military to store and process massive amounts of intercepted Palestinian phone call data.
The collaboration has seen Microsoft's immense storage and computing power capabilities being utilised to store roughly 11,500 terabytes (equivalent to about 200 million hours) of audio from millions of daily calls by Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. This data is reportedly used to support critically sensitive military intelligence functions, including the planning of lethal airstrikes and arrests in those territories.
However, ethical concerns have emerged prominently. Investigations and leaked documents reveal that Microsoft's cloud services have been instrumental in mass surveillance of Palestinians, leading to calls from investors, employees, and activists demanding accountability for potential complicity in human rights abuses. Critics argue that the project's scale—aiming to record up to a million calls an hour—amounts to pervasive surveillance undermining Palestinian privacy and contributing to targeted military violence.
Microsoft, in response, has publicly denied any misuse of its technology and launched an internal investigation amid mounting pressure. The company has asserted that it has found no evidence that its technology directly harmed Palestinians, but has acknowledged the need for greater oversight.
This partnership exemplifies the growing intersection of technology companies with state military surveillance and conflict, raising complex questions about corporate responsibility, privacy rights, and the use of AI/cloud technologies in contested regions. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how Microsoft will navigate these ethical dilemmas.
References:
- The Intercept
- The Guardian
- The New York Times
- The Washington Post
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