Asia Politics USA World

US launches audit of Chinese role in Pentagon cloud services

US launches audit of Chinese role in Pentagon cloud services
Source: AFP

The US has opened a review into Chinese nationals’ involvement in managing sensitive cloud systems used by the military, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday.

Hegseth said he had ordered an audit of Microsoft’s work with contractors after reports that China-based technicians were helping maintain Defense Department cloud platforms.

“The use of Chinese nationals to service Department of Defense cloud environments – it’s over,” Hegseth said in a video statement.

“We’ve issued a formal letter of concern to Microsoft documenting this breach of trust, and we’re requiring a third-party audit of Microsoft’s digital escort programme, including the code and the submissions by Chinese nationals. Did they put anything in the code that we didn’t know about? We are going to find out.”

He also directed all software providers working with the Pentagon to end “any Chinese involvement in DOD systems.”

The move follows a July investigation by ProPublica that revealed Microsoft’s use of contractors in China and other countries to help maintain Pentagon cloud systems. Microsoft has since said it would stop using China-based technicians for this work.

Hegseth described the policy shift as simple logic:

“We expect vendors doing business with the Department of Defense to protect US national security ahead of profit maximisation.”

Michelle Larsen

Michelle Larsen is a 23-year-old journalist and editor for Wyoming Star. Michelle has covered a variety of topics on both local (crime, politics, environment, sports in the USA) and global issues (USA around the globe; Middle East tensions, European security and politics, Ukraine war, conflicts in Africa, etc.), shaping the narrative and ensuring the quality of published content on Wyoming Star, providing the readership with essential information to shape their opinion on what is happening. Michelle has also interviewed political experts on the matters unfolding on the US political landscape and those around the world to provide the readership with better understanding of these complex processes.