Microsoft Reduces Israel’s Access to Cloud and AI Products Over Reports of Mass Surveillance in Gaza

Microsoft has disabled services to a unit within the Israeli military after a company review determined its artificial intelligence and cloud computing products were being used to help carry out mass surveillance of Palestinians. The action follows reports by The Associated Press and The Guardian about how the Israeli Ministry of Defence had been using Microsoft’s Azure platform to aid in the Gaza war and the occupation of the West Bank, with Brad Smith stating the company was enforcing its terms of service.

An AP investigation noted that Israeli military use of Microsoft products surged after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, with gigabytes of cloud storage and extensive AI-enabled language translation services cited. The AP reported that Azure was used to compile information gathered through mass surveillance, transcribed and translated, then cross-checked with Israel’s in‑house AI systems for targeting airstrikes, with internal data linking multiple Azure subscriptions to Unit 8200.

Following the AP report, Microsoft acknowledged in May that it had sold advanced AI and cloud computing services to the Israeli military during the Gaza war and aided in locating hostages, but said an internal review found no evidence Azure was used to target or harm people, and the probe by an outside law firm is ongoing.