Washington

https://www.geekwire.com/2025/microsoft-launches-formal-review-into-alleged-use-of-its-azure-cloud-in-palestinian-surveillance/

Microsoft launches formal review into alleged use of its Azure cloud in Palestinian surveillance

BY TODD BISHOP on August 15, 2025 at 4:21 pm

Microsoft, under continued pressure over the use of its technology by the Israeli military, said Friday that it’s launching a formal review into allegations that its cloud services were used as part of the mass surveillance of Palestinians.

The move follows the Aug. 6 reports in The Guardian, +972 Magazine and Local Call, citing sources who said the Israeli Defense Forces stored data from widespread phone monitoring of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank on Microsoft Azure servers.

The company said its terms of service would prohibit this type of usage. When the story was initially published, the company said its work with an Israeli intelligence unit was for cybersecurity purposes, and that it was not aware of any civilian surveillance.

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Members of the group have staged repeated demonstrations at Microsoft events, arguing that the company’s technology is enabling human rights abuses against Palestinians.

UPDATE: In response to Microsoft’s announcement, No Azure for Apartheid dismissed the company’s review as a “stalling tactic” and said the inquiry does not address its core demand: that Microsoft end all cloud and AI contracts with the Israeli military.

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