Microsoft Stops Using Engineers in China for U.S. Defense Projects Amid Security Concerns

Microsoft has confirmed that it will no longer involve engineers based in China in any work related to its cloud services for the U.S. Department of Defense. This decision follows growing scrutiny and concerns over national security and data access involving foreign personnel.

The move comes after a ProPublica investigation revealed that Microsoft allowed engineers based in China to help manage the cloud infrastructure used in sensitive Pentagon projects. While the engineers didn’t directly access classified systems, they worked under a “digital escort” arrangement — meaning U.S.-based staff were assigned to supervise them remotely.

This arrangement raised alarms among lawmakers and security experts who feared it could create backdoors or vulnerabilities in America’s defense technology. The Defense Department is now under pressure to review and tighten its policies on contractor staffing and foreign access.

Microsoft responded by updating its internal policy. The company stated clearly that engineers in China would no longer be used for any Department of Defense-related cloud support. A spokesperson added that the company had always followed strict compliance and that their staffing model had been previously disclosed to the appropriate government agencies.

This change is part of a broader effort to reduce potential risks in the supply chain and cloud infrastructure supporting national defense. Lawmakers, including Senator Tom Cotton, have called for greater transparency from defense contractors and stricter requirements to ensure only U.S.-based personnel are involved in handling sensitive data.

Microsoft’s decision marks a major step in aligning its global workforce policies with rising national security expectations. It also sends a strong message about the importance of minimizing foreign involvement in critical U.S. government operations.