Posted on 08/28/2025 6:32:32 AM PDT by Tench_Coxe
"Microsoft is using engineers in China to help maintain the Defense Department’s computer systems — with minimal supervision by U.S. personnel — leaving some of the nation’s most sensitive data vulnerable to hacking from its leading cyber adversary, a ProPublica investigation has found.
The arrangement, which was critical to Microsoft winning the federal government’s cloud computing business a decade ago, relies on U.S. citizens with security clearances to oversee the work and serve as a barrier against espionage and sabotage.
(snip)
“If I were an operative, I would look at that as an avenue for extremely valuable access. We need to be very concerned about that,” said Harry Coker, who was a senior executive at the CIA and the National Security Agency. Coker, who also was national cyber director during the Biden administration, added that he and his former intelligence community colleagues “would love to have had access like that.”
(Excerpt) Read more at propublica.org ...
I’d bet that this is just fine with most Micro$oft employees.
“Microsoft is using engineers in China to help maintain the Defense Department’s computer systems”
When did we change the definition of treason?
I'm sure the lefty response would be its not treason since we're not at war with China.
This is on par with what Loral's Bernie Schwartz did during the Bill Clinton era.
I only use windows to play a few games and when I’m done it’s back to Linux for everything else
What, nobody at the Pentagon thought to insert language into a contract to ban use of ‘help’ from adversary nations?
So goes my mantra this week:
There need to be MASS FIRINGS at multiple federal agencies, Pentagon included.
They’re either not happening or being slow walked. DOGE was too myopic and poorly led; POTUS should have put a general in the role. Major fail.
Bill Gates + Communist China
What could possibly go wrong?
“Microsoft is using engineers in China to help
maintain the Defense Dept’s computer systems?
Microsoft initially used engineers in China to help maintain Defense Department computer systems through a program involving U.S. “digital escorts” who acted as intermediaries. However, following a ProPublica investigation into the cybersecurity risks, Microsoft announced in July 2025 that it would end the use of these China-based engineers for supporting Pentagon cloud services.
The arrangement relied on U.S. citizens with security clearances to act as “digital escorts,” manually inputting commands and changes suggested by the China-based engineers.
Potential for Espionage:
ProPublica reported that this IT servicing model could have exposed sensitive U.S. national security information to China.
An investigation by ProPublica revealed that the digital escorts often lacked the technical expertise to effectively monitor the foreign engineers and were sometimes underpaid, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of the safeguards.
In response to the investigation and concerns about potential cybersecurity risks, Microsoft stated it would end the program that allowed China-based engineers to support Pentagon cloud services.
I am getting new computer...and having Linux put on it...ubuntu mint is good, right? Dont think I will even get windows.
It’s hard to believe that the DoD is using MS.
So let’s train 600k more Chinese to spy on our networks!
Anyone know if Trump has walked that stupid statement back?
We need a ban on PRC visas for at least one year!
If they let in 600k Chinese on education visas, they should be restricted to “studies” programs. Can you imagine damage to China with young adults returning with gender studies type degrees?
Believable.
Agree!
Back in the bad old Cold War days the USSR had plenty of foreign students. They were restricted from certain fields of study for example nuclear physics.
They won't even have to reach out as far as China - since Trump is allowing 600,000 Chinese students into American universities - will he also "staple a Green Card" to their diplomas?
Mr. President: We appreciate you, but please do better on this issue…
"President Trump has done a lot of good for this country, but on this issue, he needs to do better. There is nothing 'America First' about flooding our universities with 600,000 students from Communist China while American kids are left drowning in debt, rejected from programs, or locked out of opportunities altogether."
https://revolver.news/2025/08/mr-president-we-appreciate-you-but-please-do-better-on-this-issue/
I was told by my daughter's university that they love Chinese students - they pay triple the tuition, pay upfront - and in cash.
Back in the bad old Cold War days the USSR had plenty of foreign students.
At Patrice Lumbumba University.
Well, on the bright side, all Microsoft software IS spyware, so there should be no surprise that Chinese Spies are using it.
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