Google 'playing with fire' by acquiring Israeli company founded by Unit 8200 veterans

Google's $32 billion acquisition of Israeli startup Wiz has sparked concerns among company employees and human rights organizations. Wiz, a cloud security company, was founded by a team from the Israeli elite Unit 8200, a unit specializing in cyber espionage and surveillance activities. This acquisition has raised questions about Google's ethical responsibilities in the context of international relations.

This deal comes as Google already faces internal and external pressure over its "Project Nimbus" contract, which aims to provide cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to the Israeli government and military. A spokesperson for the "No Tech for Apartheid" coalition, comprised of Google employees opposing the company's collaboration with Israel, stated that Google's acquisition of Wiz is "playing with fire." The coalition's concerns highlight the broader debate surrounding tech companies' involvement in geopolitical conflicts.

The spokesperson told Middle East Eye: "This acquisition marks a continuation of Google’s blatant support for Israeli apartheid. Instead of heeding employees' calls for divestment, Google is doubling down on its investment in the so-called state of Israel’s colonialism, racism, and apartheid project. Google workers overwhelmingly oppose this investment and continue to reject Project Nimbus." The spokesperson also accused Google leadership of being "hellbent on cementing the company as a pillar of the US-Israeli war machine" and described the acquisition of Wiz as a "performative gesture" to Trump. These accusations underscore the deep divisions within Google regarding its relationship with Israel.

Anna Bacciarelli, Senior Researcher in the Technology and Human Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, stated that Google is deepening its relationship with the Trump administration and Israel by prioritizing the development of AI for national security purposes. She noted: "The acquisition of Wiz, a cybersecurity company founded by former members of Unit 8200, further entrenches Google’s stake in the AI-powered military tech sector." This observation emphasizes the growing trend of tech companies becoming increasingly intertwined with military and security operations.

Bacciarelli emphasized that the mass surveillance and technology systems developed and deployed by Unit 8200 are incompatible with human rights. "Google’s investment in 8200 alumni raises serious concerns about its potential complicity in human rights abuses." She described Google's acquisition of Wiz as a "calculated business move" designed to consolidate the company's "dominance over cloud infrastructure by solidifying its power, thereby making accountability even more difficult." This analysis suggests that Google's actions may have far-reaching implications for privacy and civil liberties.

Matt Mahmoudi, Amnesty International’s AI and Human Rights Researcher, echoed Bacciarelli's concerns, stating that the involvement of a company led by Unit 8200 veterans is "deeply alarming." Mahmoudi stated: "Google once upheld AI principles and even had ‘Don’t be evil’ as its motto. But these commitments have been systematically eroded, especially when it comes to AI-powered weapons and military applications." He added: "Despite explicit warnings from human rights experts that these technologies could fuel genocide, Google continues to partner with Israeli authorities in blatant disregard for international human rights law. Acquiring a company that will further support projects like Nimbus only increases the risk of exacerbating Israel’s system of apartheid and oppression." This statement highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by tech companies in the context of international human rights.