Head of Microsoft's Israel branch to step down after inquiry into deal with IDF
6 hours ago
- #Technology and Conflict
- #Mass Surveillance
- #Corporate Ethics
- Microsoft Israel's general manager Alon Haimovich steps down following an internal inquiry into the subsidiary's dealings with the Israeli military's Unit 8200.
- An inquiry was launched after revelations that Unit 8200 used Microsoft's Azure cloud platform for mass surveillance, intercepting and storing millions of Palestinian civilian phone calls.
- Microsoft terminated Unit 8200's access to its cloud services and AI products due to violations of terms prohibiting mass surveillance technology.
- The inquiry raised concerns about transparency from Microsoft Israel, with findings possibly linking Haimovich to developing the relationship between the subsidiary and Unit 8200.
- Several other managers at Microsoft Israel have also left their positions amid reported ethical violations and controversy.