Worker Coalition Demands Microsoft Sever Ties with ICE Over Cloud and AI Usage
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Worker-led group No Azure for Apartheid is urging Microsoft to cancel its contracts with ICE following reports that the agency significantly expanded its use of Microsoft cloud storage and AI analytics tools.
The worker-led advocacy group No Azure for Apartheid is publicly calling on Microsoft to cut all business ties with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This demand follows recent investigative reports from outlets including The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call. According to leaked documents, ICE dramatically increased its data storage on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform from 400 terabytes in July 2025 to nearly 1,400 terabytes by January 2026, while also utilizing Microsoft productivity software and AI tools for data analysis.
No Azure for Apartheid argues that the cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure powering military actions abroad is now being utilized to facilitate operations against migrants and local communities within the United States. In a statement shared with PC Gamer, the coalition expressed solidarity with affected families and reiterated long-standing demands from workers dating back to 2018 regarding the tech giant's government contracts. The group previously organized protests concerning Microsoft dealings with the Israeli military, highlighting an ongoing push from within major tech companies for ethical accountability regarding how enterprise software and cloud infrastructure are deployed.
In response to the growing scrutiny, a Microsoft spokesperson stated that the company provides cloud and collaboration tools to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE through key partners. However, the representative maintained that corporate policies prohibit the use of Microsoft technology for mass surveillance of civilians and asserted that the agency is not engaging in such prohibited activity. As major technology firms increasingly market advanced cloud and machine learning capabilities to government bodies, internal worker activism continues to place intense pressure on tech leadership to closely monitor the real-world impact of their platforms. Original reporting can be found at Rock Paper Shotgun.
Tags: Microsoft, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Industry News, Activism
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun