Microsoft has terminated specific services provided to Israel’s Ministry of Defense following revelations that its technology was allegedly used for mass surveillance of Palestinians.
⁷In a statement published on the company’s official blog, Microsoft President Brad Smith confirmed that the tech giant had “ceased and disabled a set of services to a unit within the Israel Ministry of Defense.”
The decision follows a joint investigation by The Guardian and Israeli outlet +972 Magazine, which reported in early August that Israel’s elite military intelligence division, Unit 8200, relied on Microsoft Azure to store millions of phone calls made by Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Microsoft Launches Internal Review
On August 15, Microsoft announced a formal review into the allegations. Smith emphasized that Microsoft does not provide technology “to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians,” stressing that this principle applies “in every country around the world.”
The internal probe examined financial records, contracts, and business documentation without accessing the actual content of the data stored by Israeli authorities.
According to Smith, the company’s findings confirmed aspects of the journalistic investigation, including Israel’s use of Azure cloud storage in the Netherlands and its deployment of Microsoft’s AI tools.
Services Disabled.
As a result, Microsoft formally notified the Israeli Ministry of Defense that it had disabled “specific subscriptions and services,” which included access to certain cloud storage and artificial intelligence technologies.
An Israeli security official, however, downplayed the impact of Microsoft’s move, stating that it caused “no damage to the operational capabilities of the IDF.”
Microsoft noted that while the restrictions are in effect, its broader review of the case is still ongoing.
Global Implications
The move highlights growing scrutiny of how powerful tech firms’ platforms are used in conflict zones, particularly when tied to allegations of human rights violations and surveillance. Analysts say Microsoft’s decision could set a precedent for other major technology providers under pressure to enforce ethical guidelines in their global operations.
About the Author
