Micron Technology: China probes US chip maker for cybersecurity risks as tech tension escalates

China Launches Probe into US Chip Maker Micron as Tech Tension Escalates

In a move that's being seen as retaliation against US allies in Asia and Europe, China has launched a cybersecurity probe into Micron Technology, one of America's largest memory chip makers. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) will review products sold by Micron in the country, citing concerns over "ensuring the security of key information infrastructure supply chains, preventing cybersecurity risks caused by hidden product problems, and maintaining national security".

This move comes as tensions between the US and China are escalating in the tech sector. Last month, Japan announced it would restrict the export of advanced chip manufacturing equipment to countries including China, following similar moves by the United States and the Netherlands. Washington has also unveiled curbs on China's semiconductor industry, striking at the heart of Beijing's bid to become a tech superpower.

Micron, which derives more than 10% of its revenue from China, said it was aware of the review and is cooperating fully with the CAC. The company warned earlier this month that there were risks associated with doing business in China, including "the Chinese government may restrict us from participating in the China market or may prevent us from competing effectively with Chinese companies".

The probe has already had a significant impact on Micron's shares, which sank 4.4% on Wall Street following the news, the biggest drop in more than three months. On Monday, they closed another 1.2% lower.

China has been increasingly vocal about its criticism of restrictions on tech exports, saying it "firmly opposes" such measures last month. However, Beijing is seeking to woo foreign investments as it grapples with mounting economic challenges, and has been exerting growing pressure on foreign companies to bring them into line with its agenda.

In recent months, authorities have closed the Beijing office of a US corporate intelligence firm and detained staff, and suspended operations of Deloitte in Beijing for three months over alleged lapses in auditing work. These moves suggest that China is determined to assert its influence in the global tech landscape.

this whole thing got me thinking about the nature of competition & cooperation in a globalized world... china launching a probe into micron as retaliation against us allies, but what's really at stake here? it's not just about trade agreements or national security, it's about who gets to dictate the rules of the game . and when you look at the US response - restricting exports & curbing chinese semiconductor industry growth... you start to wonder if that's really about protecting us interests or just maintaining our grip on power .

and then there's china's push to bring in foreign investments, but with strings attached . is this a legitimate attempt to level the playing field or just another form of state capitalism? it's hard to say without more context, but what's clear is that we're living in a world where nations are increasingly playing global games with high stakes - and sometimes it feels like we're all just trying to outmaneuver each other .

omg I'm literally freaking out right now this china thing with micron is getting crazy!!! like i've been trying to buy a new gaming laptop and my fave game is only available on micron chips and now china's gonna probe them? that's like, super scary for all us gamers rn I'm also thinking about my family's business... we import electronics from china and i don't know if it's safe to keep doing that with all this tension going on

just wondering how far this probe will go... china's been playing catch up in tech for years now, seems like they're getting a bit desperate micron's a big target, hope they can navigate these waters without getting hurt too badly

Man, this whole situation with Micron and China is like, really revealing some deep issues about our reliance on each other in the global economy . I mean, think about it, we're already seeing how a single probe can disrupt an entire industry and cause economic ripples across the globe. It's like, we're so connected now, but at what cost? Are we just playing a game of tech tit-for-tat, where everyone's trying to one-up each other and sacrifice their own interests for the sake of progress?

And it's not just about the economics, is it? This whole thing also speaks to something much deeper. Like, how do we balance our desire for innovation and growth with our need for security and stability? I mean, China's actions can be seen as a form of self-defense, but at what cost to our own interests and values?

I don't know, maybe I'm just reading too much into this situation, but it feels like we're at a crossroads. We can continue down the path of tech rivalry and see where it takes us, or we can try to find a way to work together and address these deep-seated issues before they escalate further .

ugh i'm literally fuming about this china launching a probe into micron as if they're trying to send a message or something "ensuring security" yeah right like that's gonna happen when you're literally throttling all the competition and now micron's shares are tanking 4.4% down already and it's only been a day what's next china gonna launch a probe into every single american company doing business in their precious country? this is just getting out of hand the game is on tech titans

omg what's goin on!! china launching probe into us chip maker micron is like a big deal! i mean, micron makes super important chips for all sorts of things and now china's reviewing their products cuz they're worried about security... it's like, china wants to be self sufficient in tech and micron's business is like, right at the heart of that

and now micros shares are sinkin' like 4.4%!!! waaat?! i feel bad for them but at the same time, i get why china's doin this... it's all about gettin that upper hand in tech and makin america wanna back down

i'm low-key excited cuz this is like, big news and i love a good drama but also kinda worried cuz if china starts restrictin micron's access to the china market, it could be huge for both sides... we'll just have to wait and see what happens next

Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans - John Lennon

I think this whole thing is a big deal, china's trying to show off its power by targeting a US company, but at the same time it's also about China not wanting to be left behind in the tech game. It's like when you're playing catch up with your friends, and you try everything to get ahead but sometimes you just end up falling back.

This whole thing feels super suspicious to me... like China's just trying to get under our skin (or in this case, US chip makers). I mean, what's really going on with these "cybersecurity" probes? Is it just a cover for them to, you know, snoop around and find out some dirt on us tech companies? And that Micron's being all cooperative and whatnot... seems like they're just playing into China's hands. Did the CAC even bother checking if there's actually something fishy going on? I'm starting to think this is just a clever move by Beijing to get ahead in the tech game, no matter who gets hurt.