Internal documents have surfaced showing that Google executives harbored serious concerns about potential human rights implications before signing a $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli government, known as Project Nimbus.
According to documents reviewed by The New York Times, Google's approach to communication has revealed that the legal team and policy advisors warned that cloud services provided under the contract could potentially be connected to human rights violations, particularly regarding Israeli activities in the West Bank. These concerns emerged months before the deal's announcement in May 2021.
The contract, shared between Google and Amazon, provides the Israeli government with cloud services including AI-powered image and video analysis, data storage capabilities, and videoconferencing tools. A major portion - $525 million - was expected to come from Israel's Ministry of Defense over seven years.
Business consultants had recommended restricting AI tool sales to Israeli military entities and incorporating Google's AI principles against surveillance into the contract terms. However, these suggestions were not implemented in the final agreement, though it did include provisions for suspending customers who violate terms of service.
The project has sparked internal controversy at Google, particularly since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The company has dismissed approximately 50 employees for protests against the contract. One terminated engineer expressed that working on technology potentially used for military purposes contradicted their expectations when joining Google.
Despite initial reservations about reputational risks and potential legal complications, Google proceeded with the deal, viewing it as a strategic entry point into government and military contracts. While the contract's value is relatively small compared to Google's overall revenue, it provides valuable credibility with potential future military and intelligence customers.
Google has publicly defended Project Nimbus, stating it operates under the company's standard cloud computing terms. However, documents reveal the contract actually functions under modified terms specifically tailored for Israel, though the exact details remain undisclosed.
The revelations highlight the complex challenges tech companies face when balancing business opportunities with ethical considerations and employee concerns regarding military and government contracts.
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