Microsoft has disabled certain cloud and AI services to an Israeli military unit after an internal investigation concluded its Azure platform was misused to conduct mass surveillance of Palestinians.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, said: “We do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians … We have applied this principle in every country around the world … which is why … we informed IMOD of Microsoft’s decision to cease and disable specified IMOD subscriptions.”
The move comes after investigative reports by The Guardian and others showed Unit 8200 allegedly used Azure to store and analyse millions of intercepted phone calls and messages sent by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Microsoft confirmed that while only “a set of services” has been cut off, other contracts with the Israeli military remain in place.
