An important win for independent journalism exposing big tech’s complicity in genocide.
Support our work, so we can continue unraveling these mechanisms https://t.co/woU7NBLNI6
— Haggai Matar (@Ha_Matar) September 25, 2025
Microsoft has terminated the Israel Ministry of Defense’s access to some of its technology and services following an internal investigation that found the organization was using Microsoft’s technology to store surveillance data on phone calls made by Palestinians. The tech giant announced on Thursday that it decided to “cease and disable” certain Azure cloud storage and AI services subscriptions from the Israeli military. Microsoft’s vice chair and president, Brad Smith, emphasized the company’s commitment to ensure its technology is not used for mass surveillance of civilians.
“We do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians,” Smith stated.
A big success 4 @TheGuardian and the #Microsoft ex employees who sacrificed their jobs to expose the complicit collaboration of #Microsoft with #IDF in surveillance of all Palestinian population’s cell phones and the bombing targets
@abuhamad1 https://t.co/9JLuIwSYHW
— Hatoon A. ALFASSIد. هتون أجواد الفاسي (@Hatoon_Alfassi) September 25, 2025
“We have applied this principle in every country around the world, and we have insisted on it repeatedly for more than two decades. This is why we explained publicly on August 15 that Microsoft’s standard terms of service prohibit the use of our technology for mass surveillance of civilians.”
Microsoft informed Israel of its decision last week.
Microsoft's block on Israel using its tech for mass surveillance of Palestinians must be the first step.
Other companies must stop their tools & services being used to violate human rights.
Activists & investigative journalists, keep up the good work.https://t.co/h9vRtF0Ynx
— ARTICLE 19 (@article19org) September 25, 2025
"The termination is the first known case of a US technology company withdrawing services provided to the Israeli military since the beginning of its war on Gaza."https://t.co/uSfOgApQGV
— Neil Renic (@NC_Renic) September 25, 2025
Microsoft halts services over privacy
This action follows Microsoft’s ongoing review of the situation, which began in August after a report revealed that Unit 8200, an elite Israeli military intelligence unit, was using Azure cloud storage to store data on phone calls obtained through the surveillance of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Smith acknowledged the initial reporting by The Guardian, noting that without it, the company wouldn’t have known to investigate due to customer privacy rights, as Microsoft cannot access a customer’s content without cause.
“As employees, we all have a shared interest in privacy protection, given the business value it creates by ensuring our customers can rely on our services with rock-solid trust,” Smith wrote. The company stated that the review is ongoing but declined to comment on specifics still under investigation. Microsoft has faced criticism from both employees and outsiders over its engagement with Israel in the past year, leading to corporate tensions and employee activism.
The decision to cut off the services underscores the company’s stance on protecting consumer rights and its dedication to ethical technology use.
