Microsoft said on Wednesday that it did not think the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency was using its technology for mass surveillance of civilians. However, the company said it did provide cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools to ICE.
This comes shortly after a Guardian report stated that ICE deepened its reliance on Microsoft’s cloud technology last year as the agency ramped up arrest and deportation operations, according to leaked documents.
The report stated that ICE more than tripled the amount of data it stored in Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform in the six months leading up to January 2026, a period in which the agency’s budget and workforce were expanded. ICE appears to be using a range of Microsoft’s productivity tools, as well as AI-driven products, to search and analyze the data it holds in Azure. Files suggest some of the agency’s own tools and systems may also be running on Microsoft servers.
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Reports from last month revealed that ICE has spent more on cloud services from Amazon and Microsoft than ever before, according to federal contracting records. Between March and November 2025, ICE ordered $38 million in Microsoft software via reselling partners like Dell Federal Systems. The same agency made a $25 million purchase of Amazon Web Services’ cloud systems in September of last year. That month, ICE also spent $530,000 on Google cloud products.
“As we’ve previously said, Microsoft provides cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools to DHS (Department of Homeland Security, of which ICE is a part) and ICE, delivered through our key partners,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement. “Microsoft policies and terms of service do not allow our technology to be used for the mass surveillance of civilians, and we do not believe ICE is engaged in such activity.”
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The company also said the U.S. Congress, the executive branch and the courts should draw “clear legal lines” regarding the permissible use of emerging technologies by law enforcement. ICE said it uses various forms of technology to aid arrests of criminals, but did not comment on specifics.
This comes at a time when ICE is facing increased criticism for its aggressive immigration crackdowns, which many believe creates an unsafe environment and avoids due process. Since October, judges across the United States have issued more than 4,400 rulings finding that President Donald Trump’s administration unlawfully detained immigrants, according to a review of court records by Reuters. The killing of U.S. citizens like Renee Good and Alex Pretti have also led to widespread outrage against ICE.
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They said the same thing about the Israel’s intelligence use of their stuff too. They knew they do, they just don’t want to admit it and show just how shady they’re willing to be for their money.