Microsoft denies use of its technologies for mass surveillance by ICE authorities

Microsoft has no reason to believe that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is using its technology to conduct mass surveillance of civilians. This was its response to a report in The Guardian newspaper that ICE had increased its reliance on the Azure cloud platform during a period when it stepped up arrests and deportations.

According to the newspaper, the agency more than tripled the amount of data stored in Azure in the six months leading up to January 2026. ICE is said to be using productivity tools and artificial intelligence-based solutions to search and analyze data.

Microsoft responded that it provides cloud tools to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE through partners and that its terms and conditions do not allow the use of technologies for mass surveillance.

ICE declined to comment on the details of the technologies used, but confirmed that it uses various tools in its investigations.

The Trump administration's immigration measures have been criticized by human rights advocates. The technology company has also called for clear legal boundaries to be set on the use of new technologies by law enforcement agencies.

(reuters, max)