Microsoft Blocks Israeli Military from Certain Services Following Investigation into Surveillance of Palestinians

Microsoft has taken action to block some of its services used by an Israeli military unit after an investigation revealed that the company’s Azure software was involved in storing millions of recordings of phone calls made by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. A joint investigation by The Guardian and other outlets, published in August, highlighted the scale of the surveillance, which prompted Microsoft to conduct an internal review. The review confirmed that the Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMOD) was using Azure storage in the Netherlands and artificial intelligence services to process the data. As a result, Microsoft decided to cease certain IMOD subscriptions, including cloud storage and AI services. However, this move will not affect Microsoft’s cybersecurity services provided to Israel or other Middle Eastern countries. Protests against Microsoft’s relationship with Israel, particularly by tech industry workers and pro-Palestinian groups, have gained traction in recent years. The decision to block the military from some services is seen as a win for these protesters, including the No Azure for Apartheid campaign. Microsoft’s action has been hailed by groups like the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), which views the move as a victory for those who have protested the company’s involvement. The investigation was carried out in collaboration with Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call.