Fact Check: "ICC lost access of Microsoft online service due to sanctions"
What We Know
The claim that the International Criminal Court (ICC) lost access to Microsoft online services due to sanctions is rooted in a series of events following U.S. President Donald Trump's sanctions against the ICC's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan. In February 2025, Trump issued an executive order that imposed sanctions on Khan, which included a ban on entering the U.S. and penalties for anyone providing him with support, including technological assistance (AP News).
As a result of these sanctions, reports indicated that Khan's email account was canceled by Microsoft, which led to significant operational challenges for the ICC. Staff members reported that they faced difficulties in communication and that some NGOs ceased collaboration with the court due to fears of repercussions from U.S. authorities (AP News).
However, Microsoft later clarified that it did not suspend services to the ICC as a whole. According to Microsoft President Brad Smith, the company’s actions were in compliance with U.S. sanctions, but they did not involve a cessation of services to the ICC itself. Instead, the disconnection of Khan's email was described as a technical compliance issue rather than a complete service termination (Politico).
Analysis
The claim that the ICC lost access to Microsoft services is partially true. The sanctions imposed by the Trump administration did lead to the cancellation of Karim Khan's email account, which significantly impacted the ICC's operations. This aligns with reports indicating that the sanctions created a hostile environment for the ICC, leading to the withdrawal of support from various NGOs and complicating the court's ability to function effectively (AP News).
However, the assertion that Microsoft "cut off" services to the ICC is misleading. Microsoft has stated that it did not cease or suspend its services to the ICC as an organization. Instead, the company acted in compliance with U.S. sanctions that specifically targeted Khan, which resulted in the loss of his email account but did not equate to a broader service termination for the ICC (Politico). This distinction is crucial for understanding the full context of the situation.
The reliability of the sources varies. The Associated Press and Politico are reputable news organizations that provide well-sourced reporting. In contrast, some analyses from less established outlets may carry biases that could affect their portrayal of the events.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "ICC lost access of Microsoft online service due to sanctions" is Partially True. While it is accurate that the sanctions led to the cancellation of Karim Khan's email account and created significant operational challenges for the ICC, the assertion that Microsoft entirely cut off services to the ICC is misleading. Microsoft maintained that it did not suspend services to the ICC as a whole, indicating a more nuanced situation than the claim suggests.
Sources
- Trump's sanctions on ICC prosecutor have halted tribunal's ... AP News
- Microsoft didn't cut services to International Criminal Court, its ... Politico
- Microsoft's ICC email block reignites European data ... Computer Weekly
- Microsoft allegedly blocked the email of the Chief Prosecutor ... Digital Watch
- Microsoft's ICC blockade: digital dependence comes at a cost Techzine
- Microsoft's ICC email block triggers Dutch concerns over ... NL Times
- Trump's sanctions on ICC's chief prosecutor have halted ... PBS
- Trump's war on the ICC goes digital with Microsoft as an ally Independent Australia
