In 2004, Microsoft released confidential information about nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu without his knowledge or consent to the Israeli authorities. A few months previously Vanunu had completed an 18-year prison sentence for exposing information relating to Israel’s nuclear capabilities in the UK-based newspaper Sunday Times.
Information handed over by Microsoft was initially used to prosecute Vanunu for his contacts with foreign media, in violation of the ban on contacting foreigners imposed on Vanunu by the Israeli authorities. These restrictions, which are themselves a violation of human rights, have just been extended for a further year. Though the judge in the ongoing Vanunu trial has now agreed not to use the information supplied by Microsoft, the information is in the hands of the Israeli authorities and could be used to continue to restrict his freedom and harass him further.