Microsoft Ends China-Based Engineer Support for U.S. Military After Security Concerns

Microsoft has announced it will no longer use engineers based in China to support U.S. military cloud services, following backlash over potential cybersecurity risks. The decision comes after an investigative report by ProPublica revealed that Chinese engineers were assisting with Pentagon cloud systems under the oversight of U.S. subcontractors who lacked sufficient technical expertise to detect threats.

Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas and member of both the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, responded swiftly by demanding a list of contractors using Chinese personnel. In his letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Cotton emphasized the threat posed by China’s cyber capabilities, citing past infiltrations of critical U.S. infrastructure and calling for greater vigilance across military supply chains.

Microsoft, a major defense contractor, stated it had disclosed its practices during its federal authorization process. However, after public scrutiny intensified, Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw confirmed via social media that the company had revised its protocols to ensure China-based teams are no longer involved in any Pentagon-related technical support.

In a video posted Friday, Defense Secretary Hegseth ordered a two-week review of all cloud service contracts within the Department of Defense, pledging to eliminate any foreign involvement in sensitive infrastructure. “China will no longer have any involvement whatsoever in our cloud services, effective immediately,” Hegseth said, underscoring the Pentagon’s renewed commitment to cybersecurity.

This development follows a series of breaches involving Microsoft by Chinese and Russian hackers, heightening concerns over foreign access to U.S. defense technologies. The move marks a significant policy shift aimed at safeguarding national security and restoring confidence in the integrity of military cloud systems.