Microsoft investigates Israeli militarys use of Azure cloud storage

Published: Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 5:00 am

Microsoft Investigates Israeli Military's Use of Azure Cloud

Microsoft is currently investigating the use of its Azure cloud storage platform by Unit 8200, an Israeli military surveillance agency. The investigation follows a report revealing that Unit 8200 has been using Azure to store a vast collection of intercepted Palestinian mobile phone calls.

The report, a joint effort by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call, detailed how Unit 8200 utilizes a customized and segregated area within Azure to store recordings of millions of calls made daily in Gaza and the West Bank. Sources within Unit 8200 have indicated that intelligence gathered from this repository has been used to identify bombing targets.

This revelation has prompted concerns among Microsoft's leadership regarding the transparency of its Israel-based employees. Senior executives are now working to assess the nature of the information stored in Microsoft's data centers and how it is being used by the Israeli military.

In May, Microsoft stated that a previous review found no evidence of Azure being used to target or harm people in Gaza. However, recent doubts have been raised about the accuracy of information provided by some Israel-based employees. Executives have reportedly been unable to verify certain information and have questioned whether employees prioritize their country's military over their employer.

Leaked documents have identified Microsoft employees involved in managing projects with Unit 8200, some of whom have served in or are reservists of the unit. Microsoft began working with Unit 8200 in 2021 to add advanced security measures within the cloud platform, and was aware that Unit 8200 planned to move large volumes of sensitive intelligence data into Azure. However, the company maintains that its executives were unaware Azure was being used to store the content of intercepted Palestinian calls.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) issued a statement, stating that Microsoft is not working with the IDF on the storage or processing of data. Microsoft sources have expressed surprise at this statement, given the company's existing cloud storage contracts with the Israeli defence ministry.

Following the revelations, a worker-led group, No Azure for Apartheid (Noaa), has demanded that Microsoft sever ties with the Israeli military.

BNN's Perspective:

This situation highlights the complex ethical considerations that tech companies face when providing services to military and intelligence agencies. While Microsoft has stated its commitment to investigating these allegations, the situation underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of cloud technology, particularly in conflict zones. The conflicting statements from Microsoft and the IDF further complicate the matter, raising questions about the extent of the company's knowledge and involvement.

Keywords: Microsoft, Azure, Unit 8200, Israeli military, cloud storage, surveillance, Gaza, West Bank, Palestinian, investigation, data, security, intelligence, IDF, No Azure for Apartheid

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