Israel makes use of Microsoft Azure to spy on Palestinians

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Microsoft’s cloud platform has been utilized by the IDF 8200 intelligence unit for gathering huge quantities of intelligence on Palestinians together with recording thousands and thousands of cell phone calls day-after-day, “The Guardian” reviews.

Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform has been utilized by the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) 8200 intelligence unit for gathering nearly limitless intelligence info on Palestinians, together with recordings of thousands and thousands of cell phone calls within the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria day-after-day, “The Guardian” reviews. Microsoft claims that the corporate was not conscious of the use made by the IDF within the area, however the Guardian managed to contact 11 sources on the firm and within the IDF 8200 unit, who detailed the usage of the cloud providers.

Three sources within the IDF 8200 unit advised the UK newspaper that the cloud platforms made it simpler to arrange airstrikes and different operations within the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria. Intelligence sources mentioned that Unit 8200 had approached Microsoft with a request to broaden space for storing, with the goal of reaching a couple of billion recordings in a single hour. The cloud providers are put in, in keeping with the report, on Microsoft servers with enhanced safety layers, which 8200 demanded from Microsoft.

After “The Guardian” first revealed Israel’s reliance on Microsoft know-how in January, the corporate discovered no proof that its software program or AI merchandise had been used to hurt folks. A senior Microsoft official advised the newspaper that the corporate had demanded that Israel not use its know-how to establish targets for assaults. However as a part of its ongoing use of cloud providers, in keeping with the report, Israel has been monitoring potential assault targets primarily based on conversations within the neighborhood.

Revealed by Globes, Israel enterprise information – en.globes.co.il – on August 7, 2025.