Microsoft blocks Israeli military from some services

Microsoft president Brad Smith says the company has "ceased and disabled" access to some of the services being used by the Israeli military following a review of allegations made by a Guardian investigative report in August.

In August The Guardian published a report alleging that Microsoft services were being used to store a vast amount of surveillance data, including millions of text messages and phone calls intercepted in Gaza and the West Bank, which had been used to blackmail and jail Palestinians in the West Bank, and aid in the selection of bombing targets in Gaza. The report also claimed that Microsoft engineers worked closely with Unit 8200, an Israeli military surveillance agency, to build the infrastructure being used by IMOD.

"We have reviewed The Guardian's allegations based on two principles, both grounded in Microsoft's longstanding protection of privacy as a fundamental right," Smith said in a statement released today.

Microsoft blocks Israeli military from some services after investigation finds 'evidence that supports' allegations of mass surveillance in Gaza