US Investigates Chinese Telecom Giants Over Potential Data Security Risks
Washington is currently examining whether China's largest state-controlled telecom operators might be transmitting American data to Beijing through their cloud services in the US. According to sources acquainted with the matter, the Commerce Department has initiated a probe into the actions of China Mobile Ltd., China Telecom Corp., and China Unicom.
Commerce Department's Actions
The investigation has involved subpoenaing information from these entities and conducting detailed risk-based analyses. However, the inquiry into China Unicom is reportedly not as far advanced as those into China Mobile and China Telecom, the sources indicated.
Historical Context and Previous Actions
For years, US government agencies have cautioned against potential security risks associated with Chinese state-owned telecommunications firms. This concern led to Washington's decision in 2022 to exclude China Unicom from the American market, a move that followed an earlier ban on China Mobile.
When contacted for comments, neither the companies in question nor their US-based legal representatives provided any response to Reuters' inquiries.
Conclusion
This investigation underscores ongoing apprehensions about the security implications of allowing Chinese state-controlled firms to operate within the US, particularly given the sensitive nature of data security.