Microsoft halts China-based engineers from U.S. military support

Microsoft has ceased using China-based engineers to support U.S. Defense Department cloud systems, following a ProPublica investigation. Pentagon leadership and Congress reacted swiftly, prompting a two-week review of all such cloud contracts by Defense Secretary Hegseth.

Microsoft has announced that it will immediately stop using engineers based in China to support its cloud services for the U.S. military. The decision follows a ProPublica investigation that raised concerns over cybersecurity and triggered swift reactions from U.S. lawmakers and defence officials.

According to the exposé, engineers in China had access to Pentagon cloud systems through a little-known "digital escort" programme. In this setup, U.S.-based staff—often lacking sufficient expertise—were assigned to oversee remote sessions where Chinese engineers provided technical support, potentially exposing critical military infrastructure to risk.

The revelations drew sharp criticism from Senator Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, who demanded answers on contractor oversight and security protocols. In response, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a two-week review of all Defense Department cloud service contracts. He publicly declared that China would no longer be involved in any U.S. military cloud services.

Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw confirmed the policy change in a statement on X, stating that no China-based engineering teams would support Defense Department systems going forward.

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