Leaked files reveal Microsoft's role in 'Israel's' military operations
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Leaked documents suggest Azure was deployed not only for administrative tasks but also to support military and intelligence activities.
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FILE - This April 12, 2016 file photo shows the Microsoft logo in Issy-les-Moulineaux, outside Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)
Leaked documents have unveiled Microsoft's growing involvement with "Israel's" military operations, highlighting the tech giant's significant contributions to the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) during its 2023 war on Gaza. The materials reveal an intensification of collaboration between Microsoft and the IOF, particularly in the areas of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, as the military's demand for advanced technology soared during the war.
The investigation, conducted by The Guardian in collaboration with +972 Magazine and Local Call, relied on documents sourced from Drop Site News and interviews with Israeli security and intelligence personnel. These findings indicate that Microsoft's cloud platform, Azure, and other services became integral to the IOF's operations, including its air, ground, and naval forces as well as intelligence units.
Surge in Demand for Cloud, AI Technologies
Following the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, the IOF faced a surge in demand for computing resources. A commander described this shift as an embrace of "the wonderful world of cloud providers." To meet these needs, the IOF expanded its use of commercial cloud services from companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.
Reports indicate that Amazon Web Services was also used extensively to store surveillance data, with billions of audio files linked to "Israel's" military intelligence being processed through its systems. Similarly, Google was reported to provide AI tools to support the IOF's operations.
Leaked documents suggest Azure was deployed not only for administrative tasks but also to support military and intelligence activities. The IOF’s military intelligence directorate leveraged Azure to manage sensitive operations, while elite units such as Unit 8200 (focused on surveillance) and Unit 9900 (visual intelligence) used the platform for various purposes. By the end of March 2024, the IOF's monthly consumption of Azure's suite of machine learning tools was 64 times higher than in September 2023.
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Microsoft's Collaboration with OpenAI
The investigation also sheds light on Microsoft's collaboration with OpenAI. The IOF's use of OpenAI's GPT-4 model, integrated via Azure, reportedly surged during the war. OpenAI, which previously prohibited the use of its tools for military purposes, revised its policies in early 2024, shortly before the spike in usage.
When approached for comment, OpenAI stated it does not maintain a partnership with the IOF but referred to its updated policy prohibiting the development or use of its tools for weapons or harm.
Critics have pointed out that OpenAI’s policy change reflects a broader trend of private-sector involvement in modern warfare. This shift enabled the IOF to use AI-driven tools to process vast amounts of data, raising concerns about the ethical implications of such collaborations.
