Overview

• Microsoft informed Israel’s Defense Ministry that it has ceased and disabled specified subscriptions, including certain Azure storage and AI services, for a single unit it did not name.
• Brad Smith said the review found evidence supporting elements of The Guardian’s investigation, including IMOD’s use of Azure storage in the Netherlands and use of AI services.
• Microsoft emphasized that it does not provide technology for mass surveillance of civilians and said the step does not affect its cybersecurity work for Israel or other Middle Eastern countries.
• The company said it did not access IMOD customer content during the review, which continues under external counsel following August’s reporting by The Guardian, +972 Magazine and Local Call.
• Media reports say Israeli officials already moved large troves of data off Azure and are reportedly planning a migration to AWS, while employee activists hailed the move as a win but called it insufficient.