The article outlines that Israel has entered into a controversial agreement with the U.S. tech companies Google and Amazon, granting the Israeli government unrestricted access to their cloud services. This deal, known as Project Nimbus, involves a $1.2 billion contract and requires the companies to notify Israel about any data requests from abroad, even if such requests violate their own terms of use. The agreement has sparked significant controversy, particularly regarding data privacy and international law compliance.
Following the deal, there has been increased scrutiny of Israel’s relationship with these tech giants, especially as accusations of genocide have been levelled against the Israeli government. This has led to heightened concerns about how data is being handled and whether such deals could potentially be used to evade international legal standards. The tech companies are also reportedly facing heavy financial penalties if they choose to cut ties with Israel, which seems to be designed as a deterrent against such actions.
Google has been at the center of several protests from its employees, particularly regarding its involvement with the Israeli government. In April 2024, the company fired nearly 30 employees who were protesting against its ties with the Israeli government. Additionally, in July 2025, Google co-founder Sergey Brin criticized the UN for being “transparently anti-Semitic” after a report accused tech firms, including Alphabet, of profiting from the Gaza war. These actions have further complicated the situation with the Israeli government and have raised questions about the role of corporate entities in geopolitical conflicts.
The “wink” mechanism described in the deal is a unique method of data leak where the U.S. firms pay Israel an amount corresponding to the international dialing code of the request source each time they transfer its data to a foreign nation. This system effectively allows the tech firms to leak information on third-party data requests, normally considered confidential. Critics argue that this method undermines the privacy of user data and sets a dangerous precedent for how data can be shared internationally.
Overall, the deal has drawn significant attention due to its implications for data security, corporate responsibility, and international relations. As the situation continues to evolve, it is likely to have broader effects on how tech companies interact with governments and how data is managed on a global scale.