Microsoft Reveals Statement on Israel Ministry of Defence Partnership

Drama

23 May 2025 12:31

Microsoft has released the findings of an internal investigation into its relationship with the Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMOD), following concerns that its Azure cloud and AI technologies may have been used in military operations in Gaza that harmed civilians.

The review, which included interviews with dozens of employees and the examination of internal documents, concluded that there was “no evidence to date” that Microsoft technologies “have been used to target or harm people” during the ongoing conflict.

These concerns surfaced earlier this year after an Associated Press investigation suggested Microsoft's commercial AI tools were being used by the Israeli military. The AP report claimed that Azure technologies were potentially involved in “transcribing, translating, and processing intelligence gathered through mass surveillance,” and may have been cross-referenced with Israel’s own AI-powered targeting systems.

In response, Microsoft confirmed in a statement that it does provide the IMOD with “software, professional services, Azure cloud and AI services,” but emphasized that its involvement remains within the bounds of a “standard commercial relationship.”

“As with many governments around the world, [we] also work with the Israeli government to protect its natural cyberspace against external threats,” Microsoft stated, acknowledging the IMOD as one of many government clients globally.

The company also addressed its emergency support to Israel following the October 7, 2023 attacks. Microsoft disclosed that it granted limited special access to certain technologies during that period to assist in hostage rescue efforts. “We provided this help with significant oversight on a limited basis, including approval of some requests and denial of others,” the company noted.

“We believe the company followed its principles on a considered and careful basis, to help save the lives of hostages while also honouring the privacy and rights of civilians in Gaza,” the statement added.

Microsoft reiterated that the IMOD is legally bound by the company’s terms of service, which strictly prohibit the use of its technologies “in any manner that inflicts harm on individuals or organisations or affects individuals in any way that is prohibited by law.”

The tech giant also clarified that it does not develop proprietary surveillance or operational software for military use, and said that armed forces “typically use their own proprietary software or applications.” Additionally, Microsoft said it lacks visibility into how customers use its software on private servers or systems. “We do not have visibility to the IMOD’s government cloud operations, which are supported through contracts with cloud providers other than Microsoft,” the company explained.

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