Microsoft launches investigation after Israeli mass surveillance claims

Microsoft launches investigation after Israeli mass surveillance claims
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Microsoft has launched an external investigation following allegations that Israel’s Unit 8200 military intelligence unit used its Azure cloud technology for mass surveillance of Palestinians, Arab News reported. The probe was initiated after a joint report by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call claimed the spy agency stored millions of intercepted phone calls from Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza on Microsoft’s platform.

The report also highlighted close ties between Microsoft’s Israel office and Unit 8200, raising concerns among Microsoft’s US executives that Israeli employees may have concealed details about their collaboration. Microsoft confirmed that using Azure to store data obtained through mass surveillance of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank violates its terms of service.

The company appointed Covington & Burling, a US law firm, to oversee the inquiry. This is Microsoft’s second external probe related to its ties with the Israeli military; an earlier investigation found no evidence of terms of service violations by the Israel Defense Forces. The current probe will expand on previous findings in response to new allegations.

Meanwhile, employee-led group No Azure for Apartheid is pressuring Microsoft to sever all connections with the Israeli military. Microsoft pledged to publicly share the investigation’s factual findings.