In February, the US shot down a Chinese spy balloon that flew across the United States. At first, the US Department of Defense said that the surveillance aircraft didn't collect intelligence.
Now, some US intelligence officials have shared new information about this alleged spy balloon from China. Two current authorities and one former official claimed that the Chinese spy balloon used an American internet service provider. Based on the assessment they are familiar with, the Chinese spy balloon allegedly connected to a US-based firm-was able to receive and send communications to Beijing.
Chinese Spy Balloon Allegedly Used US Internet Provider
A Chinese national flag is pictured during the medal ceremony for the women's 63kg judo event during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 25, 2023.
The US intelligence officials familiar with the latest Chinese spy balloon assessment said that the Chinese spy balloon could send burst transmissions or high-bandwidth data collections over short periods because of the American internet service provider it used.
According to NBC News' latest report, the U.S.-based ISP can't be named as of writing since the company's identity needs to be protected.
But, the latest assessment revealed that the American internet firm claimed that the Chinese spy balloon couldn't use its network. The ISP argued that this is based on their investigation and discussions with the US authorities.
However, further investigation is needed since experts said Chinese intelligence officials are known for using commercially available internet service providers in the US and other countries.
Numerous former US officials stated that China relies on these foreign internet firms for backup communication networks. They added that Beijing seeks out encrypted networks or internet services with strong security protocols to communicate securely.
Read Also: Taiwan Announces How It'll Handle Chinese Spy Balloons-What Handling Based on Threat Level Means?
Pentagon Claims Chinese Spy Balloon Didn't Collect Data
Two white balloons float near the Chinese flag as activist Rev. Patrick Mahoney protests against the Chinese government over the alleged Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot down over the US last week, during a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, February 15, 2023.
In June, the Pentagon claimed that the Chinese spy balloon the US government shot down in February wasn't able to collect sensitive data.
"It's been our assessment now that it did not collect intelligence while it was transiting the United States or overflying the United States," said Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder via The Guardian.
He added that the US Department of Defense took drastic measures to mitigate the intelligence collection activities that the Chinese spy balloon was possibly doing when it was still active.
But, before Pat Ryder released this statement, multiple senior US intelligence officials warned that the surveillance aircraft of China was able to collect sensitive information about military sites.
As of press time, it is hard to believe that the Chinese spy balloon wasn't or could gather critical data about the US since new details are being released about it.
As an American citizen, the best thing you can do is wait for further US government announcements.
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