ICE reliance on Microsoft technology surged amid immigration crackdown
7 days ago
- #Microsoft Azure
- #Surveillance Technology
- #Immigration Enforcement
- ICE significantly increased its use of Microsoft's Azure cloud platform, tripling data storage in six months leading to January 2026.
- The agency employs Microsoft's AI-driven tools and productivity apps for data analysis and operations, possibly including surveillance activities.
- Leaked documents suggest ICE's expanded budget and workforce have led to increased spending on technology, including contracts with Microsoft and Palantir.
- ICE has access to extensive surveillance technologies, such as facial recognition apps and drones, raising concerns over privacy and unlawful operations.
- Microsoft employees have raised internal concerns about ICE's use of their technology, despite Microsoft's claims of not supporting mass surveillance.
- Tech companies like Amazon and Google also face employee protests over their contracts with ICE and CBP, citing human rights concerns.
- The controversy around ICE's operations and tech partnerships has sparked debates in Congress and led to partial government shutdowns.