Overview

• Microsoft confirmed providing Azure cloud and AI services to the Israeli military, including special emergency access for hostage rescue operations during the Gaza war.
• Internal and external reviews found no evidence that Microsoft's technologies were used to harm civilians, though the company admitted limited visibility into customer use on private servers.
• The Israeli military's use of Microsoft and OpenAI technologies reportedly increased nearly 200-fold after the October 2023 Hamas attack, with tools employed for mass surveillance and intelligence analysis.
• Employee protests, including on-stage disruptions at Microsoft’s anniversary event, have called for terminating contracts with the Israeli government, citing ethical concerns and alleged complicity in human rights violations.
• Microsoft reaffirmed its AI Code of Conduct and commercial terms, emphasizing oversight measures, but critics argue for greater transparency and accountability in its military partnerships.