Recent reports have raised serious allegations that Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform has been used by Israel’s Unit 8200, its military intelligence arm, to conduct mass surveillance of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

According to joint investigations by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call, Azure servers in Europe—specifically in the Netherlands and Ireland—were used to store and analyze intercepted phone calls. Estimates suggest the system processes up to a million calls per hour, creating one of the largest civilian surveillance databases ever built.

The alleged partnership began in late 2021, with Microsoft customizing Azure for Israel’s intelligence unit. Reports claim that company executives, including CEO Satya Nadella, viewed the deal as a significant business opportunity.

Sources further allege that the intercepted data directly informed military actions, including airstrikes in densely populated areas of Gaza, shaping broader strategies in the region.

Microsoft, responding to the revelations, announced an external investigation. The company hired outside counsel to determine whether this use violated its terms of service, which explicitly prohibit mass surveillance.

In its statement, Microsoft said storing data from broad surveillance would breach company policy and promised an “urgent” review of the matter.

The allegations have triggered public backlash. Protests erupted at Microsoft’s headquarters, with employees and activists demanding accountability. Some demonstrations led to arrests. Campaigns like “No Azure for Apartheid” have called for the company to cut ties with Israel’s military.

On X (formerly Twitter), discussions amplified the reports, with users highlighting what they described as enabling “total control” over an occupied population. Calls for boycotts have also gained momentum.

From a technical standpoint, Azure itself is a neutral infrastructure tool, but its capabilities—scalable storage, high-throughput processing, AI-driven analytics—make it suitable for surveillance applications if deployed that way by customers.

The investigation remains ongoing. While Microsoft has denied prior knowledge of misuse, the outcome will determine whether one of the world’s largest cloud platforms played a role in mass surveillance and military operations in conflict zones.