Microsoft publishes findings from its investigation into Unit 8200, confirming evidence that Azure was used to monitor Palestinian phone calls and pledging to strengthen human rights management.
Microsoft has updated its human rights page, publishing the results of its investigation into the use of Microsoft Azure by Israeli military intelligence unit
Technology & Human Rights | Microsoft CSR
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/human-rights
Microsoft to tighten human rights measures after inquiry into Israel's use of its tech | Microsoft | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/04/microsoft-to-tighten-human-rights-measures-after-inquiry-into-israels-use-of-its-tech
Microsoft expands human rights oversight after investigation into Israeli defense ministry's use of AI | CTech
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/r1hj177wze
In August 2025, The Guardian reported that 'Unit 8200 was using Microsoft Azure to operate a system that allowed for the storage, searching, and analysis of large amounts of Palestinian mobile phone call data.' Following the report, Microsoft launched an investigation by hiring an external law firm and a technology consulting company.
On September 25, 2025, Microsoft informed the Israeli Ministry of Defense that it had suspended some subscriptions and services, including the Azure cloud storage and AI services in question, after finding evidence in the early stages of its investigation that corroborated some of The Guardian's reports.
The investigation and review continued, and in June 2026, Microsoft published a final update summarizing the findings and outlining future actions. The factual findings remain unchanged from those established in September 2025. Microsoft explained that, in response to the findings, it will strengthen its pre-contract review process for national security-related issues and its employee reporting system.
Microsoft's terms of service and code of conduct for AI services prohibit the use of their services in a way that promotes large-scale surveillance of civilians. On the other hand, contracts with government agencies may involve discrepancies between the initial intended use and actual use, and risks may increase due to war or changes in political situations.
As countermeasures, Microsoft says it will review its pre-contractual review process for national security-related issues and strengthen its 'human rights due diligence,' which involves proactively identifying and preventing or mitigating negative impacts of its business activities on human rights. Furthermore, Microsoft says it will review how it manages security clearances obtained by employees from foreign governments, conduct regular reviews of its terms of service and national security-related policies, improve employee training, and expand its anonymous reporting system.
On the other hand, the relationship between Microsoft and the Israeli government has not been completely severed. Microsoft positions its relationship with the Israeli Ministry of Defense as a standard commercial relationship, and as of the June 2026 announcement, it explains that it is still providing software, professional services, Azure, Azure AI, and translation capabilities.
The turmoil has also spilled over into personnel changes at Microsoft Israel. The Israeli business newspaper Globes reported that 'the resignation of Aaron Haimovich, head of Microsoft Israel, follows a controversy at Microsoft Israel over alleged violations of Microsoft's code of ethics.' According to Globes, Microsoft Israel will be placed under the management of Microsoft France for the time being. Microsoft has announced that Haimovich will resign on May 31, 2026, to pursue a new path in the fields of AI and technology, but has not provided details on the reasons for his resignation.
Microsoft says it will incorporate the lessons learned from the findings into its business operations, incorporate the opinions of human rights experts and stakeholders, and report on its progress in its annual Human Rights Transparency Report.
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