Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a two-week review to ensure no engineers in China are working on Pentagon technology projects - Photo: REUTERS
Reuters news agency reported on July 19 that Microsoft recently announced that it would end the use of engineers working in China to provide technical support to the US military, after an investigative report raised security concerns and prompted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to conduct a comprehensive review of the Pentagon's cloud computing contracts.
Microsoft once allowed engineers in China to participate in US military cloud computing projects, according to a report by ProPublica.
They are supervised by American “digital escorts” — people hired through subcontractors who have security clearances but often lack the technical expertise to assess whether the Chinese engineers’ work poses a cybersecurity risk.
Microsoft, now one of the largest technology contractors for the US government , said it disclosed these activities during the licensing process with Washington authorities.
However, in response to the criticism, Microsoft spokesman Frank Shaw announced on social network X that the company had changed its policy to "ensure that no engineering team in China provides technical support" for services used in the military.
The announcement came just hours after Republican Senator Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, sent a letter asking the US Department of Defense to clarify the involvement of Chinese personnel in defense contracts, while also questioning the capabilities and training of "digital escorts".
“The U.S. government recognizes that China’s cyber capabilities are among the most dangerous and aggressive threats today,” Cotton wrote. “The U.S. military must be vigilant about any potential threats in the supply chain, including from subcontractors.”
On the same day, Defense Minister Hegseth announced a two-week review to determine whether any engineers in China were working on other Defense Ministry technology projects.
"I am announcing that China will no longer have any involvement in our cloud computing services. This decision is effective immediately," Mr. Hegseth said in a video posted on the social network X. "We will continue to monitor and respond to any threats to our military infrastructure and national online networks."
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/microsoft-ngung-su-dung-ky-su-trung-quoc-trong-cac-du-an-quoc-phong-my-20250719080038766.htm
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