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Microsoft says it will no longer use engineers in China for Department ofDefense work
Microsoft has ceased employing engineers in China for work related to the U.S. Department of Defense amidst concerns over security and oversight, following a Pro Publica report highlighting deficiencies in supervision by U.S. citizens monitoring these engineers.
Key points
- Pro Publica reported that Microsoft used China-based engineers for maintaining DoD cloud systems.
- These engineers were supervised by U.S. citizens ('digital escorts') who sometimes lacked necessary technical expertise.
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth criticized the practice and stated foreign engineers should not access DoD systems.
- Microsoft announced it will stop using China-based engineers for technical support of DoD services in response to the report.
Why it matters
- This incident highlights ongoing security concerns regarding foreign involvement in U.S. defense contracts.
- By 2025, trends suggest a heightened focus on cybersecurity and the importance of domestic resources in critical infrastructure.
Microsoft's decision reflects increasing vigilance in national security and a shift towards domestic expertise in defense-related technology support.