Washington: Microsoft has stated that it found “no evidence to date” that its technology was used by the Israeli military to target or harm civilians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The announcement, made in a blog post published Thursday, follows months of internal protests and accusations from Microsoft employees who expressed concerns over the company’s business ties with Israel's Ministry of Defence.
The tech giant conducted an internal review in response to the allegations, which included interviews with dozens of employees and a thorough examination of internal documentation. The company emphasized that it took the accusations seriously and launched the inquiry to uphold its commitment to responsible and ethical business practices.
According to the blog post, Microsoft said the investigation “found no evidence to date that Microsoft’s Azure and AI technologies have been used to target or harm people in the conflict in Gaza.” The company reiterated that it maintains a standard commercial relationship with the Israeli government, providing cloud infrastructure, software, and AI services, similar to its engagements with other governments and defense sectors around the world.
The employee movement within Microsoft reflects a broader wave of tech worker activism, where employees at major firms have increasingly called for accountability in how their companies’ tools and services are used — particularly in areas of surveillance, military operations, and conflict zones. In this case, employees had raised concerns that Microsoft’s cloud and AI technologies could be directly or indirectly contributing to violations of international law during Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Microsoft’s statement aims to quell these concerns by asserting that its products are not being deployed for targeting purposes or for harm against civilians, though it stops short of detailing the specific methods or scope of the review beyond internal document checks and employee interviews.
The company has not announced any changes to its partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Defence, nor has it commented on whether future audits or third-party oversight will be implemented. Critics continue to demand greater transparency and independent review mechanisms, arguing that internal reviews alone may not be sufficient in conflict-related matters involving military applications of AI and cloud technology.
As the war in Gaza continues to draw global scrutiny, Microsoft’s stance underscores the delicate balance tech companies must navigate between commercial contracts, employee ethics, and public accountability in high-stakes geopolitical environments.
