IDF says it preempted Microsoft ban on Intelligence unit’s cloud access

Israel Defense Forces announced on Thursday that it had anticipated and prepared for Microsoft’s move to block access to its cloud services and AI tools. Unit 8200, the Israeli military’s elite intelligence division, backed up its data ahead of time, preventing any security damage.

“We acted through all required methods to ensure there would be no harm,” the Israeli Defense Ministry stated. Doron Kadosh, a journalist with Israel's Galei Tzahal radio, also confirmed that Unit 8200 had already prepared for the partial Microsoft ban and continues with its operations.

Microsoft President Brad Smith confirmed on the company’s website that it had “ceased and disabled a set of services to a unit within the Israel Ministry of Defense.”

“We do not develop technologies for mass surveillance of civilians, nor will we assist in that. This is a principle we have stood by in every country worldwide for over 20 years,” Smith wrote.

Microsoft’s decision came after British news outlet The Guardian and the far-left Israeli +972 news outlet reported that IDF Unit 8200 used Microsoft’s Azure cloud to access servers that store recordings of Palestinian phone calls. The Israeli military has been using this technology to monitor and track terrorist activities and other security threats against the State of Israel.

However, following a probe, Microsoft informed Israel of its intention “to cease and disable specific [Israel Defense Ministry] subscriptions and their services, including their use of specific cloud storage and AI services and technologies.”

Microsoft has a prominent presence in Israel, known as the Start-Up Nation, due to its high concentration of tech companies.

After the outbreak of the war on Oct. 7, 2023, when the Hamas terrorist organization invaded and attacked 1,200 Israelis in southern Gaza border communities, Microsoft faced criticism and accusations of supporting Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The company denied the allegations. In May, Microsoft said it provided limited emergency assistance for efforts aimed at rescuing hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

“We do occasionally provide special access to our technologies beyond the terms of our commercial agreements. In addition to the commercial relationship with the IMOD (Israel Ministry of Defense), Microsoft provided limited emergency support to the Israeli government in the weeks following October 7, 2023, to help rescue hostages,” Microsoft said in its official statement.

“We provided this help with significant oversight and on a limited basis, including approval of some requests and denial of others. We believe the company followed its principles on a considered and careful basis, to help save the lives of hostages while also honoring the privacy and other rights of civilians in Gaza,” the tech giant added.

At the beginning of September, Microsoft fired four employees who had taken part in unauthorized on-site protests against Israel. The president of Microsoft said that the company supports “freedom of expression that everyone in this country enjoys as long as they do it lawfully.”