The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 8200 has used a customized area within Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform to store data on Palestinian communications, according to reports. The unit, responsible for gathering and collecting signal intelligence, code decryption, counterintelligence, cyberwarfare, and surveillance, built a powerful mass surveillance tool using the cloud-based storage system.
The system allowed Unit 8200 to collect and store recordings of millions of cell phone calls made by Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The data was stored on Microsoft’s servers behind enhanced layers of security, developed by Microsoft engineers following Unit 8200’s instructions.
Leaked documents suggest that a large amount of the data is being stored in servers based in the Netherlands and Ireland. However, it is unclear if all of this data belongs to Unit 8200 or includes data belonging to other parts of the IDF.
Microsoft has stated that its technology was used for strengthening cybersecurity and protecting Israel from nation-state and terrorist cyber attacks. The company claims to have no information about the kind of data stored by Unit 8200 in its cloud systems.
Despite this, sources from Unit 8200 claim that the information being stored in Azure has been used to blackmail people, place them in detention, or justify their killing after the fact. A Microsoft employee was even heckled during Satya Nadella’s keynote speech, questioning how Israeli war crimes were powered by Azure.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-863469