Pentagon investigates after Microsoft used Chinese workers to maintain sensitive tech systems: Report
August 20, 2025 Timothy Frudd
A new report claims that Microsoft withheld important information from the Defense Department regarding the company’s use of Chinese-based employees. The new report has sparked an investigation by the Pentagon.
According to a 2025 security plan obtained by ProPublica, while Microsoft is required to submit security plans to the Defense Department regarding how the technology company plans to protect the government’s computer systems, the company did not disclose the use of Chinese-based employees to work on sensitive computer systems for the Pentagon.
ProPublica reported that the Defense Department launched an investigation of technology companies using foreign operators to work on sensitive systems in the aftermath of the outlet’s report on Microsoft’s controversial practices last month. The outlet revealed that Microsoft uses “digital escorts,” identified as U.S. personnel with security clearances, to supervise engineers based in foreign countries who work on the Pentagon’s cloud systems.
https://americanmilitarynews.com/2025/08/pentagon-investigates-after-microsoft-used-chinese-workers-to-maintain-sensitive-tech-systems-report/