Microsoft has terminated cloud services for the Israeli military after discovering misuse for surveillance on Palestinians, emphasizing its stance against mass surveillance.

Microsoft has cut off access to specific cloud services for the Israel Ministry of Defense after an internal investigation found that the military was using its technology to store surveillance data on phone calls made by Palestinians. The company announced this decision, which affects subscriptions to Azure cloud storage and certain AI services, emphasizing its commitment to not facilitate mass surveillance of civilians. Microsoft vice chair Brad Smith highlighted that the company has maintained this principle globally for over two decades. The investigation was prompted by a report from The Guardian, which revealed that Unit 8200, an elite Israeli military intelligence unit, was utilizing Azure for housing surveillance data. Microsoft has faced criticism from employees and activists regarding its ties to Israel, leading to protests and internal unrest. The review of the situation is ongoing, but Microsoft has not disclosed further details.