Microsoft Cuts Cloud Services to Israeli Military Over Alleged Palestinian Surveillance

Microsoft has terminated certain cloud computing services provided to the Israeli military following revelations that the technology was allegedly being used for extensive surveillance of Palestinians.

In 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 publication +972 Magazine, which reported in early August that Israel’s military intelligence unit, known as Unit 8200, had been using Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform to store and process millions of phone calls from Palestinians living in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The investigative report alleged that Unit 8200, a key intelligence branch of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was conducting large-scale surveillance operations against Palestinians, including mass collection of private communications. According to the report, the data gathered was stored on Microsoft’s cloud servers, raising serious concerns about the role of U.S. technology companies in military intelligence activities overseas.

Brad Smith stated that Microsoft acted promptly after reviewing the findings of the investigation. “We take the responsible use of our technology seriously and have moved swiftly to terminate services that were being misused in ways that violate our standards and principles,” Smith said.

Human rights organizations have welcomed Microsoft’s move as a significant step toward corporate accountability in the technology sector. Critics have long warned that cloud and artificial intelligence technologies, when used in conflict zones, can exacerbate human rights abuses, particularly in the context of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“This decision is a clear signal that major tech companies must ensure their products are not complicit in mass surveillance or violations of international law,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch.

However, the Israeli government has not issued an official comment regarding Microsoft’s decision. Analysts say the move may strain ties between the company and one of its major state clients in the region.

The development adds to growing scrutiny over the use of advanced technology in military operations worldwide. It also underscores the increasing pressure on global tech firms to monitor how their platforms and infrastructure are deployed by state actors, particularly in conflict zones.

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