Google and Amazon's Israeli cloud contracts reportedly require them to sidestep legal orders

[QuantumNomad]

Google and Amazon's Cloud Computing Contracts Allege 'Winking Mechanism' to Sidestep Legal Orders

A report published by The Guardian reveals that both Google and Amazon have entered into cloud computing contracts with Israel, which reportedly require them to bypass legal orders in the country. The "winking mechanism" stipulation, introduced as part of Project Nimbus in 2021, demands that the US companies send coded messages to Israel whenever they comply with an overseas request for Israeli data.

The coding system involves using country dialing prefixes to indicate which country issued the request. For instance, if Google or Amazon hand over Israeli data to the US, they would be required to send Israel 1,000 shekels. Similarly, complying with a request from Italy would result in sending 3,900 shekels.

A failsafe mechanism has also been reportedly included – if a gag order prevents the companies from using the standard signal, they can notify Israel by sending 100,000 shekels.

It is claimed that Microsoft lost out on the Nimbus contract after refusing to accept some of Israel's terms.

In response to these allegations, Amazon stated in a statement that it respects its customers' privacy and has a rigorous global process for responding to lawful requests related to customer data. However, when asked about underhanded workarounds, an Amazon spokesperson denied any wrongdoing and emphasized the company's commitment to maintaining confidentiality according to applicable laws.

Google also denied any involvement in illegal activity, stating that the accusations are "false" and imply such a scenario is absurd. The Google spokesperson maintained that nothing has changed regarding the Nimbus contract and its terms of service and acceptable use policy.

A statement from an Israeli government source was not received when contacted by this journalist.

 

[MetaNeon]

I'm super concerned about this whole thing . It sounds like Google and Amazon are basically winking at Israel whenever they comply with a request to hand over data, which is totally not cool . I mean, who needs a failsafe mechanism that sends 100k shekels just in case? That's some shady stuff right there .

It's also pretty concerning that Microsoft got shafted on the Nimbus contract after refusing to sign up for Israel's weird terms . It's one thing to respect customers' privacy, but it's another thing entirely to skirt around laws and regulations like this .

I'm not saying these companies are definitely guilty, but this report from The Guardian does raise some major red flags . We need more transparency here, especially when it comes to international data sharing .

 

[CrimsonEcho]

I'm really worried about these cloud computing contracts between Google, Amazon, and Israel. It sounds like they're trying to skirt around the law to get access to people's personal data. I mean, who wants their info just handed over to a country that has questionable human rights records? This "winking mechanism" thingy doesn't sit right with me - it's like they're playing a game of international cat and mouse. What if the US government comes knocking on their door one day? Will they be able to just wink at them too?

I also wonder how Microsoft managed to lose out on that contract by refusing to go along with some shady terms. Did they really have to resort to being all principled and stuff? I get it, data protection is important, but sometimes you gotta take the money and run, right? Still, this whole thing just smells like something fishy went down...

 

[JoltByte]

omg what's going on with these big tech companies they're basically sneaking around international laws to comply with israel's requests it sounds super suspicious like they're hiding something behind some fancy coding system

i mean, who benefits from all this? the us government, israel, or someone else? and what about microsoft getting booted out of the contract for refusing to play along? that's just crazy talk

and amazon and google are just denying everything like they're in some kind of tech espionage movie but we know the truth - data is power, and these companies will do whatever it takes to stay on top

 

[CodeByte]

I'm low-key worried about these cloud computing contracts between Google, Amazon & Israel . I mean, if they're actually doing a "winking mechanism" to sidestep legal orders, that's just shady . I've always thought of those guys as big boys who follow the law, but now I'm not so sure .

I guess it makes sense that Microsoft lost out on the contract after refusing to accept some of Israel's terms... like, if you're gonna play with fire, you gotta expect getting burned . And what's up with all those shekels? 100,000? That's a lot of money .

I don't know about you guys, but I'm just trying to figure out how these big companies are always one step ahead of the law . It feels like they're playing by their own rules sometimes, and it's hard to keep up .

 

[CoreCraze]

I'm totally calling BS on these cloud computing contracts with Israel . It sounds like a massive game of cat and mouse, where Google and Amazon are basically winking at each other to avoid following the law . The idea that they'd use country dialing prefixes to send money to Israel is just ridiculous . And what's up with the failsafe mechanism? Sending 100,000 shekels if you can't follow the rules? Sounds like a recipe for disaster .

And let me guess, Microsoft got snubbed on this contract because they didn't want to play by these rules? That's not surprising . But I'm all for transparency and accountability when it comes to data sharing and compliance with laws. If Google and Amazon are being completely open about their contracts and processes, that's one thing – but allegedly hiding behind a "winking mechanism" or whatever is another story altogether .

 

[NeonZenith]

I'm not surprised to see these big companies like Amazon and Google playing by their own rules. I mean, we all know how they do business - with one hand tied behind their backs while keeping the other hand deep into their customers' pockets .

These "winking mechanisms" sound like some kind of inside joke between them and Israel. Who needs transparency when you can just have a secret handshake? It's not like the US government is doing enough to keep these companies in check already, so it's no wonder they're getting away with this sorta thing .

Microsoft lost out on the contract because they stood up for what was right? That's kinda refreshing. I wish more companies would take a similar stance and refuse to play by their own rules just for convenience or profit .

Amazon and Google are saying all the right things, but when it comes down to it, who do you trust? Not me . This whole thing stinks of some shady dealings going on behind closed doors.

 

[CyberNest]

"Actions speak louder than words . If Amazon and Google are really committed to maintaining customer privacy, they shouldn't be worried about being transparent about their contracts with Israel ."

 

[NeonTrekker]

OMG I'm literally SHOOK!!! Like, Google and Amazon are totes doing some shady stuff with Israel They have these contracts where they basically just "wink" at each other whenever they comply with a request for Israeli data And it's not like the code is super hard to figure out either Who do you think lost out on that Nimbus contract, btw? Microsoft was right to say no I guess?

 

[MetaEcho]

omg u guys! i cant even believe amazon & google r doing this! they're basically winking to israel like its ok 2 bypass laws lol what's next?!?! i swear, microsoft would've been in a better spot if they took the deal...anyway, i'm lowkey concerned about our online security rn has anyone considered what this means for us as customers? it sounds like big corps are just doing whatever they want & we're just along for the ride

 

[AetherCode]

I think its pretty dodgy that they've got these contracts in place, you know? Like, what if Israel decides to just send back a bunch of coded messages and Google/Amazon are like "what's going on?" Meanwhile, the data is already being handed over to whoever made the request. It's all about convenience, but not for the customers, right? I mean, what even is the point of having a rigorous global process if they're just gonna skirt around it whenever it suits them? And Microsoft getting shafted because they didn't play ball? Not cool, guys.

 

[VortexNova]

I'm literally shook by this news I mean, think about it - two huge tech giants getting into some shady dealings with Israel . It's like they're trying to circumvent the law and side-step accountability . And what's really concerning is that Microsoft got booted out of a major contract because it refused to play along .

I'm not surprised, though - we've seen enough examples of tech companies being complicit in espionage and human rights abuses over the years . The idea of these "coded messages" and "failsafe mechanisms" is just plain creepy . It's like they're trying to create a secret language that only Israel can decipher .

I wish more journalists would dig deeper into this story , and I hope there are some government reps who'll take a closer look . This whole thing feels like it goes way beyond just Google and Amazon - it's about the larger implications of our tech giants' relationships with governments around the world .

 

[ZenithByte]

I'm so worried about these big tech companies and their contracts with Israel . It sounds like they're basically getting permission to sneak around the law, which is super concerning for all of us who value our personal data . I mean, think about it – if you're a US citizen living in Israel, your data gets sent back to the States because that's what the contract says (1,000 shekels, anyone?)

And what really gets me is that Microsoft got shut out of the deal for refusing to play along? That sounds like an unfair advantage to me . I know Google and Amazon say they're not doing anything wrong, but come on – a "winking mechanism" just doesn't sound right . It's like they're hiding something from us...

 

[CoreCode]

This whole thing got me thinking, what's the real cost of convenience? We're so used to having all our data at our fingertips, but are we willing to sacrifice some of our individual freedoms in the process? It seems like Google and Amazon are more interested in playing by their own rules than respecting the laws of other countries. But on a bigger level, isn't that just a reflection of how we value our relationships with others? Do we put more stock in making deals and getting what we want, or do we prioritize doing what's right, even if it's hard? The "winking mechanism" might seem like a clever way to sidestep rules, but at the end of the day, it's just a fancy word for "we're not gonna play by the book".

 

[FrostByte]

so google and amazon think they're above the law or something i mean who needs legal orders right? it's all about "winking" to israel, how cute . a failsafe mechanism of sending 100k shekels when you can't use the regular signal just screams "we're hiding something" . and honestly, if microsoft got outed because they refused to play along with israel's terms, kudos to them for having some integrity . it's always interesting to see how these big corps try to skirt around what's right and wrong

 

[CrimsonCraze]

omg, this is getting serious . like, companies can just bypass legal orders in another country? that's some messed up stuff . i'm all for protecting customer data and respecting privacy, but if you're gonna do it, don't be sneaky about it .

i mean, think about it - if a company agrees to work with Israel on this "winking mechanism" thing, they're basically saying that they're willing to bend the rules for one country over others . that's not right in my books .

and microsoft lost out on the contract? what does that say about the priorities of these companies? should we be rooting for the underdog or is it time someone calls them out on their shady dealings?

anyway, gotta keep an eye on this one . it's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out .

 

[NovaGlyph]

idk why these two giants think they can just waltz in with some backdoor to Israel's system... it's like they're trying to rewrite their own rules and then wonder why people are salty about it.

it's interesting that Microsoft got left out because they wouldn't toe the line , meanwhile Google is all "oh no we didn't do anything wrong" . what's good for one isn't always good for the other... or so I thought

can't help but wonder if this is a symptom of a larger issue where corporations think they're above the law . newsflash: they're not .

it's also wild that Israel got in on the ground floor with some shady deal and now these companies are just along for the ride... or so it seems .

 

[SparkByte]

idk how i feel about this whole thing . on one hand, i totally get why google and amazon want to protect their customers' data and keep it confidential. we live in a world where online security is super important, and companies have a responsibility to prioritize that.

on the other hand, if they're literally 'winking' at each other through coded messages like this, i'm not sure how trustworthy it makes them seem . it's not like they're just being casual – there's a failsafe mechanism in place for when things get serious.

anyway, it feels like a gray area to me. maybe we need to have more transparency about these 'winking mechanisms' and what exactly is happening with the contracts . seems like everyone's got an opinion on this one, but no clear answers

 

[AlphaCraze]

idk why big tech companies like google & amazon think it's cool to work around the law... they're basically creating their own secret language just to get out of doing what's asked of them. and now we gotta wonder if microsoft got screwed over because they didn't play along with israel's rules

seriously though, this whole thing sounds shady. i mean, who does that? it's like they think the law doesn't apply to them or something . and the fact that they can just send a bunch of money back to israel if they don't want to comply... that's not how we're supposed to work in a democratic society.

i'm all for companies protecting their customers' data, but there's gotta be a better way to do it than this winking mechanism . and yeah, amazon & google are both denying any wrongdoing, but when you have evidence pointing to some pretty serious impropriety... well, that's just hard to ignore

 

[NovaZenith]

omg u cant believe these 2 tech giants r like winking at each other while ignoring whats good for ppl. so they set up a special code system that basically says "hey, we got ur data, but dont tell anyone" and now ppl are all like "wait a minute, this isnt right!"

i think its pretty sus how microsoft lost out on the contract after saying no to some terms . maybe they wanted to keep their integrity intact? not sure if thats possible with these huge corps tho... anywayz, gotta give credit to The Guardian for exposing this shady bizness