July 12, 2024
Microsoft logo [İsmail Kaplan – Anadolu Agency]
Microsoft has been accused of shutting down email accounts belonging to Palestinians using Skype to call Gaza, according to a BBC investigation.
The report found that several Palestinians living abroad had their Microsoft-owned voice and video chat accounts terminated without warning, “destroying their digital lives.”
Salah Elsadi, a Palestinian living in the US, told the BBC: “I’ve had this Hotmail account for 15 years. They banned me for no reason, saying I violated their terms — what terms? Tell me.”
The investigation revealed at least 20 cases where Palestinians had their accounts suspended without any explanation. Those impacted explained that a paid Skype subscription allowed them to make affordable mobile calls to Gaza, providing a vital service for many Palestinians during Internet outages.
In some cases, these email accounts were over 15 years old, leaving users unable to access emails, contacts, or memories. Moreover, some reported that their email accounts were connected to their work.
Eiad Hametto, who has been calling his family from Saudi Arabia, said: “We are civilians with no political background who just wanted to check on our families.”
“They’ve suspended my email account that I’ve had for nearly 20 years. It was connected to all my work. They killed my life online,” he added.
Another Palestinian, Khalid Obaied, told the BBC that he no longer trusted Microsoft. “I paid for a package to make phone calls, and then, after 10 days, they banned me for no reason,” he said. “It has to be because I’m a Palestinian calling Gaza.”
A Microsoft spokesperson clarified that the company does not block calls or ban users based on the calling region or destination. Adding: “Blocking in Skype can occur in response to suspected fraudulent activity.”
Palestinians struggle to contact family in Gaza as Microsoft quietly shuts email accounts
Tech giant Microsoft has reportedly closed email accounts of diaspora Palestinians, leaving them unable to reach relatives in Gaza amidst the war via Skype.
The New Arab Staff
12 July, 2024
Many diaspora Palestinians have been locked out of their Skype accounts [AFP]
Tech giant Microsoft has reportedly closed dozens of email accounts belonging to diaspora Palestinians without warning, leaving them unable to reach their family members in Gaza amidst Israel’s ongoing war on the enclave.
According to multiple people who spoke to the BBC, the restrictions mean they are unable to access bank accounts and job offers, as well as platforms such as Skype which many are relying on to call family members living in Gaza.
Palestinians have been using platforms such as Skype to call family members living under attack in Gaza amid a communication blackout by Israel on the enclave. The platform is also one of the cost-effective options open to diaspora Palestinians.
"We are civilians with no political background who just wanted to check on our families," one person told the BBC, saying the email account he had used for around 20 years was now closed.
"I’ve had this Hotmail for 15 years…they banned me for no reason, saying I have violated their terms. What terms – tell me? I’ve filled out about 50 forms and called them many many times," another said.
Activists and campaigners online have slammed Microsoft for the move, which they stifles attempts by Palestinians living in besieged Gaza to reach out to the world.
"Reminder that Skype is one of the only ways Palestinians abroad can contact their families in Gaza. I know because that’s what my best friend uses. And now Microsoft is taking that away," one social media user wrote on X.
One social media user, under the name Diaa Mahmoud, said his account was also suspended after 15 years.
"All the services linked to the account were locked even though I was paying for them for years," he wrote on X, adding that he was signed out and then locked out permanently.
Others have called for Microsoft to clarify why the Palestinians' accounts have been closed.
The New Arab reached out to Microsoft but did not receive comment by the time of publication.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 38,345 Palestinians since 7 October and devastated entire neighbourhoods.
The bombardment has plunged Gaza into a deep humanitarian crisis and destroyed the enclave’s infrastructure.
Israel has been accused of covering up alleged war crimes by blocking journalists' access to Gaza and enforcing a communications blackout.
Tech giant Microsoft has reportedly closed email accounts of diaspora Palestinians, leaving them unable to reach relatives in Gaza amidst the war via Skype.
The New Arab Staff
12 July, 2024
Many diaspora Palestinians have been locked out of their Skype accounts [AFP]
Tech giant Microsoft has reportedly closed dozens of email accounts belonging to diaspora Palestinians without warning, leaving them unable to reach their family members in Gaza amidst Israel’s ongoing war on the enclave.
According to multiple people who spoke to the BBC, the restrictions mean they are unable to access bank accounts and job offers, as well as platforms such as Skype which many are relying on to call family members living in Gaza.
Palestinians have been using platforms such as Skype to call family members living under attack in Gaza amid a communication blackout by Israel on the enclave. The platform is also one of the cost-effective options open to diaspora Palestinians.
"We are civilians with no political background who just wanted to check on our families," one person told the BBC, saying the email account he had used for around 20 years was now closed.
"I’ve had this Hotmail for 15 years…they banned me for no reason, saying I have violated their terms. What terms – tell me? I’ve filled out about 50 forms and called them many many times," another said.
Activists and campaigners online have slammed Microsoft for the move, which they stifles attempts by Palestinians living in besieged Gaza to reach out to the world.
"Reminder that Skype is one of the only ways Palestinians abroad can contact their families in Gaza. I know because that’s what my best friend uses. And now Microsoft is taking that away," one social media user wrote on X.
One social media user, under the name Diaa Mahmoud, said his account was also suspended after 15 years.
"All the services linked to the account were locked even though I was paying for them for years," he wrote on X, adding that he was signed out and then locked out permanently.
Others have called for Microsoft to clarify why the Palestinians' accounts have been closed.
The New Arab reached out to Microsoft but did not receive comment by the time of publication.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 38,345 Palestinians since 7 October and devastated entire neighbourhoods.
The bombardment has plunged Gaza into a deep humanitarian crisis and destroyed the enclave’s infrastructure.
Israel has been accused of covering up alleged war crimes by blocking journalists' access to Gaza and enforcing a communications blackout.
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