Recent investigations have unveiled that Israel's military intelligence agency, Unit 8200, has been utilizing Microsoft's Azure cloud platform to store and analyze vast amounts of intercepted Palestinian phone calls. This collaboration has raised significant ethical and legal questions regarding the use of commercial technology in military operations.
Unit 8200, Israel's elite signals intelligence unit, is responsible for collecting and analyzing electronic communications. In 2021, a meeting between Unit 8200's commander, Yossi Sariel, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella led to the development of a customized, secure area within Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. This partnership aimed to address the unit's need for extensive storage and processing capabilities to handle the massive volume of intercepted communications.
Source: IRNA English https://en.irna.ir/news/85907372/Israel-using-Microsoft-cloud-to-spy-on-and-target-Palestinians/
Background
Unit 8200, Israel's elite signals intelligence unit, is responsible for collecting and analyzing electronic communications. In 2021, a meeting between Unit 8200's commander, Yossi Sariel, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella led to the development of a customized, secure area within Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. This partnership aimed to address the unit's need for extensive storage and processing capabilities to handle the massive volume of intercepted communications.The Surveillance System
The system, operational since 2022, is capable of processing up to "a million calls an hour," allowing Unit 8200 to store and replay cellular calls made by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. This capability has reportedly facilitated the preparation of military operations, including airstrikes, by providing intelligence derived from these communications. By July 2025, approximately 11,500 terabytes of data—equivalent to about 200 million hours of audio—were stored on Microsoft's servers in the Netherlands and Ireland.Microsoft's Involvement
Microsoft engineers collaborated closely with Unit 8200 to implement advanced security measures within Azure to meet the unit's stringent standards. The project was highly secretive, with Microsoft staff instructed not to mention Unit 8200 by name. Despite this deep integration, Microsoft has stated that it was unaware of the specific nature of the data being stored and analyzed. The company emphasized that its engagement with Unit 8200 was focused on strengthening cybersecurity and protecting Israel from cyber-attacks.Ethical and Legal Implications
The revelations have sparked intense debate over the ethical responsibilities of technology companies in military applications. Critics argue that Microsoft's technology has been instrumental in enabling mass surveillance and targeted military operations against Palestinians, potentially implicating the company in human rights violations. In response, Microsoft conducted internal and external reviews, concluding that there was no evidence its technologies were used to harm civilians. However, the company acknowledged limitations in its visibility into how customers use its software on their own servers or other devices.Employee and Shareholder Reactions
The partnership has also led to internal dissent within Microsoft. Employees have protested the company's involvement, with some being escorted out of events after voicing their concerns. Shareholders have demanded greater transparency and accountability, filing resolutions calling for detailed reports on the company's human rights due diligence processes.Conclusion
The collaboration between Israel's Unit 8200 and Microsoft highlights the complex intersection of technology, ethics, and warfare. As commercial tech companies become increasingly integrated into military operations, it is imperative to scrutinize these partnerships to ensure they do not contribute to human rights abuses or violations of international law.Source: IRNA English https://en.irna.ir/news/85907372/Israel-using-Microsoft-cloud-to-spy-on-and-target-Palestinians/
