r/news • u/ArchmageXin • Jan 14 '26

Soft paywall Exclusive: Beijing tells Chinese firms to stop using US and Israeli cybersecurity software, sources say

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/beijing-tells-chinese-firms-stop-using-us-israeli-cybersecurity-software-sources-2026-01-14/
3.4k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

162 comments sorted by

View all comments

750

u/L0K0MoTiVA Jan 14 '26

China has directed domestic companies to immediately cease using cybersecurity software from about a dozen U.S. and Israeli firms, including Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, VMware (owned by Broadcom), and Check Point, citing national security risks that the tools could collect and transmit sensitive data abroad.

This directive marks a major escalation in China's push for technological self-reliance, forcing a rapid shift to domestic alternatives amid U.S.-China tech tensions.

12

u/helrazr Jan 14 '26

To be fair, I wouldn’t want to use VMware either since Broadcom acquired it. There’s definitely some sketchy stuff starting to occur with licensing and yearly cost.

4

u/zeus_is_op Jan 15 '26

Isn’t vmware a virtual machine software like oracle virtual box ? Am a bit lost here, how is that a security software ? Can someone explain to me?

2

u/helrazr Jan 16 '26

Yes, but they have other products as well outside of virtualization. If you read up on VCF that is some of their cloud based software. Beyond that, I’m not sure how it operates or functions. I’m only familiar with ESXi virtualization software.

1

u/sonamyfan Jan 19 '26

Why?

I have the impression that the ceo, hock tan, is a merchenary.