Microsoft announced it had restricted an Israeli Defence Force (IDF) unit’s access to Azure cloud services after a two-month investigation into a Guardian report alleging the IDF used Azure for mass surveillance of Palestinian phone calls in Gaza and the West Bank.
Microsoft President Brad Smith confirmed elements of the report. “We found evidence supporting The Guardian’s claims,” he said in an internal message. “We do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians.” Microsoft reviewed the issue with Israel’s Ministry of Defence, ensuring compliance without affecting cybersecurity support.
A joint August 2025 investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call revealed the IDF stored countless Palestinian call recordings on Azure. The surveillance targeted civilians in Gaza and the West Bank amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced Gaza’s population.
The investigation was sparked by a story in The Guardian that reported that Unit 8200, the elite Israel military intelligence unit, was using Azure cloud storage to house data on phone calls obtained through the surveillance of Palestinians in Gaza and … https://t.co/3D0QZccuO2
— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) September 25, 2025Pro-Palestinian groups, including the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and No Azure for Apartheid, praised the move. CAIR’s Imraan Siddiqi called it a “vindication for brave tech workers.” Both groups demand that Microsoft fully cut ties with Israel’s government.
Read: Macron Urges Trump to End Gaza War for Nobel Peace Prize
Microsoft faced protests over its Israel ties as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis grew. Images of suffering Palestinians fueled global outrage. Two employees were fired after a sit-in at Smith’s office, with Microsoft citing safety and policy breaches. The Gaza conflict, labeled genocide by UN experts, intensifies scrutiny on tech firms.
JUST IN: 🇮🇱 Microsoft $MSFT terminates Israeli military's access to its technology after uncovering mass civilian surveillance system, violating its terms. pic.twitter.com/nkR07VDIXq
— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) September 25, 2025Microsoft’s action addresses ethical concerns in tech, with Azure serving 60% of Fortune 500 companies (Microsoft, 2024). It sets a precedent for data privacy amid global conflicts. The decision strikes a balance between business interests and human rights considerations
