Microsoft has announced new measures to strengthen human rights controls when working with national security agencies, following an inquiry into the Israeli military's use of its cloud technology for mass surveillance of Palestinians. The inquiry was launched last year after a Guardian investigation revealed that Unit 8200, Israel's spy agency, used Microsoft's Azure cloud platform to store and analyse intercepted Palestinian phone calls.
The company said it had terminated the Israeli military's access to cloud and AI services used for the surveillance project after initial findings showed violations of its terms of service. In a summary of the inquiry's outcome, Microsoft stated its factual findings remained the same and it would adopt recommendations to improve human rights governance.
New measures include changes to how the company vets national security-related business before contracts are signed, and how it manages security clearances issued by foreign governments. Microsoft will also conduct periodic reviews to ensure customers comply with its acceptable use policies, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
The Guardian investigation found that Unit 8200 used Microsoft's technology to operate an indiscriminate surveillance system, collecting millions of Palestinian phone calls daily. The revelations prompted concerns that some Microsoft employees in Israel had not been fully transparent with headquarters about their knowledge of the military's use of the technology.
Last month, the head of Microsoft's Israeli business left the company following a controversy related to violations of its code of ethics. The company's summary of the inquiry did not mention these departures. Microsoft has previously said senior executives were unaware of the surveillance project and that it does not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance.
