Microsoft bans Chinese engineers from US defense projects

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Microsoft has announced it will no longer allow engineers based in China to work on projects for the US Department of Defense (DoD), following a recent report by ProPublica that raised serious concerns about national security.

The report revealed that some of Microsoft’s Chinese engineers had been helping maintain cloud systems used by the DoD. 

Although these engineers were supervised by US citizens with security clearances, referred to as “digital escorts,” the report pointed out a major flaw: many of these escorts didn’t have the deep technical knowledge needed to properly oversee the engineers’ work. 

This meant there was a risk that sensitive military systems could be exposed to people outside the US, even if unintentionally. The revelations sparked immediate backlash. 

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth publicly criticized the practice, posting on X (Twitter) that no foreign engineers, including those from China, should ever be involved in maintaining or accessing DoD systems. 

Spot on Senator. Agree fully. Our team is already looking into this ASAP.

Foreign engineers — from any country, including of course China — should NEVER be allowed to maintain or access DoD systems. https://t.co/gQ9dirjxND

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) July 18, 2025

The statement underscored just how serious the government sees this kind of risk.

Microsoft responded quickly. On Friday, the company’s Chief Communications Officer, Frank X. Shaw, said that changes had already been made. 

He stated that Microsoft would no longer allow engineering teams based in China to provide technical help for any DoD cloud services or related systems. 

The goal, according to Shaw, is to make sure that all support for US government customers is handled in a secure and appropriate way.

In response to concerns raised earlier this week about US-supervised foreign engineers, Microsoft has made changes to our support for US Government customers to assure that no China-based engineering teams are providing technical assistance for DoD Government cloud and related…

— Frank X. Shaw (@fxshaw) July 18, 2025

Microsoft says it wants to tighten cybersecurity around sensitive government data, especially with increasing concerns about foreign influence and cyber threats. 

While Microsoft didn’t share exactly how many engineers or projects were involved, the company’s response suggests it’s taking the issue seriously and wants to rebuild trust with government partners. 

It also highlights how even big tech companies are being held accountable for how they manage global workforces when national security is at stake.

Do you think Microsoft’s ban on Chinese engineers working US defense projects is a necessary security measure? Or could this type of restriction harm international collaboration and innovation in tech? Tell us below in the comments, or reach us via our Twitter or Facebook.