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Microsoft halts China-based tech support for Pentagon systems
TechXploreยท 2025-07-19 11:19
Core Viewpoint - Microsoft has taken steps to ensure that personnel based in China are not providing technical support for US Defense Department systems following revelations about the practice [1][3][4]. Group 1: Company Actions - Microsoft confirmed that it has made changes to its support structure for US Government customers to prevent China-based engineering teams from assisting with Department of Defense (DoD) cloud services [3][4]. - The company's chief communications officer stated that these changes are aimed at assuring the security of the DoD's systems [3]. Group 2: Government Response - Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth acknowledged that work on Defense Department cloud services had been outsourced to personnel in China, emphasizing that there will be no further involvement from China in the department's systems [2][5]. - Hegseth announced a review to ensure that similar outsourcing practices are not occurring elsewhere within the DoD, highlighting the unacceptable nature of using foreign labor in sensitive areas [5][6]. Group 3: Media and Public Reaction - The issue was brought to light by investigative news site ProPublica, which reported that engineers in China were maintaining Pentagon systems with limited oversight from US personnel [4]. - Hegseth expressed gratitude to the media and the public for raising concerns that led to the investigation and subsequent actions [6].