Microsoft launches inquiry into claims Israel used its tech for mass surveillance of Palestinians

Company says use of its cloud technology to store millions of intercepted calls would breach terms of service

Microsoft has launched an urgent" external inquiry into allegations Israel's military surveillance agency has used the company's technology to facilitate the mass surveillance of Palestinians.

The company said on Friday the formal review was in response to a Guardian investigation that revealed how the Unit 8200 spy agency has relied on Microsoft's Azure cloud platform to store a vast collection of everyday Palestinian mobile phone calls.