China's cybersecurity agency launches probe into US chipmaker Micron Technology as tensions between the two nations escalate.
In a move that appears to be retaliation against recent restrictions on China by US allies in Asia and Europe, China's Cyberspace Administration has initiated a review of products sold by Micron Technology in the country. The agency will examine potential cybersecurity risks associated with Micron's goods, citing concerns over "ensuring the security of key information infrastructure supply chains" and preventing hidden product problems that could compromise national security.
The development comes as Washington and its allies have imposed curbs on China's semiconductor industry, which is a crucial aspect of Beijing's bid to become a tech superpower. These restrictions are part of a growing effort by US officials to counter what they see as China's increasing influence in the global technology sector.
Micron Technology, one of America's largest memory chip makers, derives more than 10% of its revenue from China. The company has warned of potential risks associated with increased scrutiny from Chinese authorities, stating that "the Chinese government may restrict us from participating in the China market or may prevent us from competing effectively with Chinese companies."
China has been critical of recent restrictions on tech exports, describing them as "firmly opposing" measures that could hurt its domestic industry. The country is seeking to woo foreign investments as it grapples with mounting economic challenges and seeks to boost growth and job creation.
The probe into Micron Technology follows a pattern of increasing pressure from Chinese authorities on foreign companies to bring them in line with the government's agenda. In recent months, Beijing has closed the office of a US corporate intelligence firm and suspended operations by another international accounting firm for failing to comply with local regulations.
In a move that appears to be retaliation against recent restrictions on China by US allies in Asia and Europe, China's Cyberspace Administration has initiated a review of products sold by Micron Technology in the country. The agency will examine potential cybersecurity risks associated with Micron's goods, citing concerns over "ensuring the security of key information infrastructure supply chains" and preventing hidden product problems that could compromise national security.
The development comes as Washington and its allies have imposed curbs on China's semiconductor industry, which is a crucial aspect of Beijing's bid to become a tech superpower. These restrictions are part of a growing effort by US officials to counter what they see as China's increasing influence in the global technology sector.
Micron Technology, one of America's largest memory chip makers, derives more than 10% of its revenue from China. The company has warned of potential risks associated with increased scrutiny from Chinese authorities, stating that "the Chinese government may restrict us from participating in the China market or may prevent us from competing effectively with Chinese companies."
China has been critical of recent restrictions on tech exports, describing them as "firmly opposing" measures that could hurt its domestic industry. The country is seeking to woo foreign investments as it grapples with mounting economic challenges and seeks to boost growth and job creation.
The probe into Micron Technology follows a pattern of increasing pressure from Chinese authorities on foreign companies to bring them in line with the government's agenda. In recent months, Beijing has closed the office of a US corporate intelligence firm and suspended operations by another international accounting firm for failing to comply with local regulations.
. I mean, who would've thought that this whole chip thing would escalate into a full-blown probe? 
Micron Tech's in a tough spot now, with their revenue from China being so high... it's like, they're caught between a rock and a hard place.
. I mean, we all know how important innovation is in keeping us ahead of the curve 
. But at the same time, I get why China's gotta protect its own interests 
.
. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out 
.
. A cyber probe by China on Micron Tech doesn't sound like a fair trade, you know? One nation imposing restrictions on the other, it's just going to create more tension and uncertainty for both sides... and, honestly, it might even hurt the tech industry as a whole 
. Can't we all just focus on innovation and growth instead of playing politics? 
china's just trying to protect its own interests and companies but i get why the us is doing what they're doing, tech superpower ambitions and all that 
. And on top of that, we have all these other countries imposing curbs on China's semiconductor industry, it's like a big game of global geopolitics 
.
seriously tho chinese cyber agency probing micron tech is like us responding to canada saying "oh you made a nice maple syrup, but we're gonna confiscate your canner" 
and on a more serious note, it seems like trade war between usa & china gets weirder by the day... how about micron getting a new nickname: "micron the spy"? 
...
oh man... this is getting crazy! I mean i get it china wants to protect its own interests but like micron tech is just trying to make a living you know? 
and now china is putting all these restrictions on them and micron is literally worried about not being able to compete in the market anymore 
we're already living in a world where our tech companies are basically being told to choose between doing business with china or facing some kind of consequence 
like aren't there better ways to stimulate growth and create jobs than by restricting foreign companies from operating in your market? 
. It's time for both sides to calm down and negotiate a trade deal that works for everyone, not just one country trying to outdo another 
and btw, has anyone thought about the ripple effect this will have on the entire global chip supply chain? it's not just micron tech that's affected, there are tons of other companies relying on them for components 
... like, can you imagine being an American company that does business in China and then suddenly having your whole operation scrutinized? it's no wonder micron tech is worried 
... it's not just about the company, it's about the people who work there too 
. hope everything gets resolved soon without anyone losing their jobs or anything 
... US companies are getting slammed hard, and it's gonna get worse before it gets better 
With all these restrictions coming down, companies are starting to panic 
They're really cracking down on Micron Tech now 
. Still, I hope Micron Tech can navigate this choppy waters without too much damage 
. this whole thing just feels like another example ofchina being reactive instead of proactive 
anyhoo, micron tech's revenue is majorly tied to china so i guess that's a pretty big deal. china's basically saying "hey, we need our own tech superpower and we're gonna make it happen"... no hard feelings 
just wondering how this all plays out