Microsoft on Thursday announced that it has restricted an Israeli defense unit\u2019s access to certain cloud services that were reportedly being used in a large-scale surveillance program in Gaza. The decision followed a two-month internal investigation triggered by a Guardian report claiming that the Israeli Defense Forces were utilizing Microsoft\u2019s Azure cloud platform \u201cto store data files of phone calls collected through broad or mass surveillance of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.\u201d \u201cWe found evidence that corroborates parts of The Guardian\u2019s reporting,\u201d Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a message to employees shared publicly. He added, \u201cWe do not provide technology designed to enable the mass surveillance of civilians.\u201d Microsoft reviewed the decision with the Israel Ministry of Defense along with steps the tech firm is taking to ensure compliance, according to Smith. “This does not impact the important work that Microsoft continues to do to protect the cybersecurity of Israel and other countries in the Middle East,” Smith said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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