Microsoft Makes Changes Following Report on Chinese Engineers Maintaining Pentagon Systems
After a recent Pro Publica report revealed that Microsoft was utilizing engineers in China to support cloud computing systems for the U.S. Department of Defense, the tech giant has taken steps to address the issue.
The report highlighted the use of “digital escorts” to oversee the China-based engineers. However, these escorts, who were U.S. citizens with security clearances, were sometimes lacking in technical expertise to effectively monitor the engineers.
In light of these findings, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed his stance on the matter, stating on X that “Foreign engineers — from any country, including of course China — should NEVER be allowed to maintain or access DoD systems.”
Responding to the concerns raised, Microsoft’s chief communications officer, Frank X. Shaw, announced that the company has made changes to its support for U.S. Government customers to ensure that no China-based engineering teams are involved in providing technical assistance for DoD Government cloud and related services.
