Microsoft says it will no longer use Chinese engineers for the Department of Defense

Following a report from Pro Publica that Microsoft uses Chinese engineers to maintain the US Department of Defense’s cloud computing system, the company said it has made changes to prevent this from happening any more.

The existing systems reportedly relied on “digital escorts” to oversee China-based engineers. However, according to Pro Publica, these escorts — US citizens with security clearance — may lack the technical expertise to properly monitor engineers.

In response to the report, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses wrote to X that “of course, no country should be allowed to maintain or access the DOD system,” including China.

On Friday, Microsoft’s Chief Communications Officer Frank X. Shaw responded: “In response to concerns raised about foreign engineers in the US earlier this week, Microsoft has assisted US government customers to ensure that US government customers are providing technical assistance to DOD government cloud and related services.”