Palestinians living abroad have accused Microsoft of closing their email accounts without warning, leaving them unable to access crucial online services. This disruption has affected their ability to manage bank accounts, receive job offers, and use Skype to contact relatives in war-torn Gaza.
Microsoft claims these accounts violated its terms of service, a claim the affected individuals dispute. Eiad Hametto, who lives in Saudi Arabia, expressed his frustration, stating, “They killed my life online.” Hametto, who had his email account for nearly 20 years, said it was essential for his work and that losing access to Skype was a significant blow for his family. The internet in Gaza is frequently disrupted or switched off due to the Israeli military campaign, and standard international calls are costly. A paid Skype subscription allows for cheap calls to mobiles in Gaza, becoming a lifeline for many Palestinians.
Some individuals believe they were mistakenly thought to have ties to Hamas, the militant group Israel is fighting, which is designated a terrorist organization by many countries. Hametto denied any such links, stating, “We are civilians with no political background who just wanted to check on our families.”
Microsoft did not directly respond when asked if suspected ties to Hamas were the reason for the account closures. A spokesperson stated that it does not block calls or ban users based on calling region or destination, but “blocking in Skype can occur in response to suspected fraudulent activity.”
