Microsoft probes Israeli Unit 8200 for Azure use in Gaza, WB spying

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Guardian
9 Aug 2025 20:30
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Microsoft is investigating Unit 8200’s use of its Azure cloud to store intercepted Palestinian phone calls, raising concerns about Israeli military surveillance and data use in Gaza and the West Bank.

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The Microsoft logo is seen, April 12, 2016, in Issy-les-Moulineaux, outside Paris. (AP)

Microsoft is investigating how "Israel’s" military surveillance agency, Unit 8200, is using its Azure cloud storage platform, amid concerns that company staff in "Israel" may have concealed key details about sensitive military projects.

Senior executives are assessing what data Unit 8200 holds in Azure after a joint investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call revealed that the agency has stored a vast collection of intercepted Palestinian mobile phone calls in the platform.

Sources from within Unit 8200 said the agency uses a customized, segregated section of Azure to store recordings of millions of calls made daily in Gaza and the West Bank. Intelligence derived from this data has reportedly been used to identify bombing targets in Gaza.

The investigation, published Wednesday, raised internal questions at Microsoft about whether some employees in "Israel" were fully transparent about their knowledge of Unit 8200’s work.

Microsoft leadership questions transparency on Unit 8200 projects

According to sources familiar with the matter, Microsoft is now examining the nature of the data stored in its data centers and reviewing how it may be used by the Israeli military in its ongoing war on Gaza.

In May, Microsoft stated that a previous review found “no evidence to date” that Azure was “used to target or harm people” in Gaza, relying partly on assurances from its "Israel"-based staff. However, recent discussions at the company’s US headquarters suggest doubts about the accuracy of this information.

Some executives reportedly questioned whether employees managing military accounts might have felt more loyalty to the Israeli military than to the company.

Leaked Microsoft documents show several employees involved in Unit 8200 projects had publicly disclosed prior service or reserve duty with the eavesdropping unit, which is considered the equivalent of the US National Security Agency in scope.

Despite recent concerns, Microsoft has not yet launched another formal review into its dealings with the Israeli military, unlike the earlier investigation prompted by reporting on "Israel’s" reliance on Microsoft technology during its Gaza offensive.

A Microsoft spokesperson reiterated, “We take these allegations seriously, as shown by our previous independent investigation. As we receive new information, we’re committed to making sure we have a chance to validate any new data and take any needed action.”

IOF thanks a clueless Microsoft

Leaked files indicate that Microsoft’s senior leadership was aware, as early as 2021, that Unit 8200 planned to move large volumes of sensitive intelligence data into Azure. This included implementing advanced security measures for the military’s use.

However, Microsoft maintains its executives were unaware that intercepted Palestinian calls were stored in Azure, stating, “We have no information related to the data stored in the customer’s cloud environment.”

After publication of the investigation, an Israeli military spokesperson said, “We appreciate Microsoft’s support to protect our cybersecurity. We confirm that Microsoft is not and has not been working with the IDF on the storage or processing of data.”

The statement reportedly surprised Microsoft leadership, as the company’s cloud contracts with "Israel’s" security ministry are well known.

Following the revelations, the worker-led group No Azure for Apartheid (Noaa) renewed its demands that Microsoft end all military contracts with "Israel" and publicly disclose the nature of existing ties.

Abdo Mohamed, a Noaa organizer who was fired last year, accused Microsoft executives of ignoring Palestinian suffering, “Satya Nadella and other executives claim they are unaware of how their company colluded with the Israeli regime to profit from Palestinian suffering while being the very ones who committed Microsoft to this partnership in 2021.”