Key Points
- China has told domestic companies to stop using cybersecurity software from about a dozen U.S. and Israeli firms.
- The ban is based on national security concerns, with fears of foreign spying.
- The list of banned companies includes VMware, Palo Alto Networks, and Check Point.
- The move is part of China’s broader effort to replace Western technology with domestic alternatives.
China has reportedly told its domestic companies to stop using cybersecurity software from about a dozen U.S. and Israeli firms, citing national security concerns. The move is the latest in a long-running tech war between Beijing and the West, as both sides try to reduce their reliance on foreign technology.
According to sources, the list of banned U.S. companies includes major names such as VMware, Palo Alto Networks, and Fortinet. The Israeli company Check Point Software is also on the list. Chinese authorities are worried that this software could be used to collect and send confidential information to foreign governments.
This ban comes as China and the U.S. are in the midst of a tense trade truce and preparing for President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing in April. The timing suggests that China is using the ban as a bargaining chip in the ongoing negotiations.
For years, Beijing has been pushing to replace Western-made technology with domestic alternatives. It has already made a significant effort to replace Western computer hardware and word-processing software. Now, it’s turning its attention to cybersecurity, a particularly sensitive area.
The companies being banned have a significant presence in China, with multiple offices and a large customer base. They have also been very vocal in their accusations of Chinese hacking operations, which China has consistently denied.
This move is a clear signal that the tech decoupling between China and the West is accelerating. As both sides become more suspicious of each other’s technology, the global tech landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented.
