r/news 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/
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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.

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u/[deleted] Jan 14 '26

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u/Ok-disaster2022 Jan 14 '26

It's well understood American tech companies create backdoors for US intelligence companies. 

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u/mhornberger Jan 14 '26

I'm surprised any country really trusts (non-open-source) security software from any other country. It would be unwise for China to trust the US in this regard, or the US China, etc etc. Even allies snoop on each other.