Microsoft announced on Thursday, September 25, having disabled access to an Israeli military unit to certain services of its Azure online platform, after investigating the accusations of using its technologies for the mass surveillance of Palestinian civilians.
This decision reaches the end of an internal investigation launched in early August by an article in the British Daily the Guardian newspaper, according to which a branch of Israeli military intelligence, the 8200 unit, would have used Azure “to store intercepted telephone data through a broad or massive surveillance of civilians in Gaza and on the west shore occupied.
“We have found evidence that corroborates certain parts of Guardian’s report,” said Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, in a message to employees published online.
According to its president, Microsoft reviewed this decision with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, as well as with the measures taken by the US technological giant to guarantee its fulfillment. “This has no impact on the important work that Microsoft continues to protect the cybersecurity of Israel and other countries in the Middle East,” said Smith.
For several months, employees have multiplied pro-palestinity positions. On April 4, 2025, on the occasion of Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, two company employees interrupted talking about the three CEO, Bill Gates, Satya Nadella and Steve Ballmer. One of them had stated in particular: “50,000 Palestinians from Gaza were killed thanks to Microsoft’s technology (…) shame to all who celebrate their blood. They cut links with Israel.”
Source: BFM TV
