Microsoft Azure in Gaza
Post Date: 2025-09-25
Original Post: LinkedIn
This seems like a pretty big deal:
"Equipped with Azure’s near-limitless storage capacity and computing power, Unit 8200 had built an indiscriminate new system allowing its intelligence officers to collect, play back and analyse the content of cellular calls of an entire population."
"The project was so expansive that, according to sources from Unit 8200 – which is equivalent in its remit to the US National Security Agency – a mantra emerged internally that captured its scale and ambition: “A million calls an hour.”"
"Although the initial focus of the surveillance system was the West Bank, where an estimated 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli military occupation, intelligence sources said the cloud-based storage platform had been used in the Gaza offensive to facilitate the preparation of deadly airstrikes."
Personally I think Microsoft should hold onto the data they already have, even though they are planning to block them from using the system in the future. It is part of the evidence that records what actually occurred.
Reply 1 - Shane O'Connell
Apparently there have been significant employee protests at Microsoft about this issue, including cases where employees were fired:
"In April, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman's remarks were interrupted by a pro-Palestinian protesting employee during the technology company's 50th anniversary celebration over the firm's ties with Israel. That employee and another protesting employee were also subsequently fired."