U.S. Defense computer systems will no longer be worked on by Microsoft engineers in China, following a probing report, due to concerns over potential manipulation by foreign intelligence agencies, prompting an immediate shift in policy.
In a move aimed at enhancing the security of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) computer systems, Microsoft has ceased allowing its China-based engineers to work on these sensitive systems. This decision comes after concerns were raised about the potential vulnerability of highly sensitive defense data due to the practice that had been in place for over a decade.
The arrangement saw China-based engineers supported by U.S. "digital escorts," who were often former military personnel with limited coding skills and, therefore, unable to adequately oversee the more skilled Chinese engineers. Warnings about these risks were reportedly raised internally but were ignored by Microsoft.
The issue came to light after an investigative report by ProPublica published in mid-July 2025 revealed the details of the arrangement. In response, Microsoft officially announced on July 19, 2025, that it had stopped using China-based engineers for any technical assistance on DoD cloud and related government systems. The company stated it had made changes to ensure that no China-based engineering teams would maintain or access DoD systems going forward.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly condemned the practice, stating that foreign engineers, especially those from China, should never be allowed to maintain or access DoD systems. He announced that the Department of Defense would investigate Microsoft's use of foreign-based engineers on sensitive government computer systems.
Microsoft, in its commitment to providing the most secure services possible to the U.S. government, has pledged to work with national security partners to continuously evaluate and adjust security protocols to protect sensitive government data.
This situation underscores the challenges and risks involved in outsourcing sensitive government IT work internationally, particularly when dealing with potential adversaries. It serves as a reminder that even with the best intentions, a single weak link can potentially compromise the strongest security measures.
**Key Points:**
- Microsoft allowed China-based engineers to work on U.S. DoD cloud systems for over a decade, supervised only by U.S. "digital escorts" who often lacked the technical expertise to fully monitor or prevent potential security risks. - Warnings about these risks were reportedly raised internally but ignored by Microsoft. - The issue came to light after an investigative report by ProPublica published in mid-July 2025. - In response, Microsoft officially announced on July 19, 2025, that it had ceased using China-based engineers for any technical assistance on DoD cloud and related government systems. - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly condemned the practice and announced that the Department of Defense would investigate Microsoft's use of foreign-based engineers on sensitive government computer systems. - Microsoft has committed to working with national security partners to continuously evaluate and adjust security protocols to protect sensitive government data.
- The ongoing usage of China-based engineers by Microsoft on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) cloud systems, supervised by limited-skilled U.S. "digital escorts," raised significant concerns about cybersecurity, especially in the realm of general-news and political discussions.
- In the wake of ProPublica's investigative report revealing Microsoft's practice, the involvement of foreign engineers, specifically from China, in maintaining and accessing DoD systems sparked a debate about technology and its potential implications on national security.
