Feds probe Alibaba’s cloud unit over national security concerns: report

The Biden administration has reportedly launched a probe of China-based e-commerce large Alibaba’s cloud-computing unit over issues it may pose a danger to nationwide safety.

The investigation is concentrated on Alibaba’s information storage practices for US purchasers, sources conversant in the matter informed Reuters. Regulators will assess whether or not the Chinese language authorities may have entry to delicate data or the flexibility to dam entry to information saved on the Alibaba cloud.

The evaluation was ordered shortly after President Biden took workplace in January, the report stated. Previous to that, the Commerce Division below former President Donald Trump additionally expressed concern concerning the unit.

The investigation may lead to regulatory motion in opposition to Alibaba’s cloud enterprise, together with a possible US ban.

A consultant for the Commerce Division informed Reuters the company doesn't touch upon the “existence or non-existence of transaction evaluations.” Alibaba declined to remark.

The Alibaba LOGO is seen at the Alibaba Group headquarters in Hangzhou
The investigation may result in Alibaba’s cloud enterprise being banned in america.
Barcroft Media through Getty Photos

Alibaba’s cloud-computing unit has but to realize widespread use within the US. The corporate reportedly stated in its annual report that US companies “could also be prohibited from persevering with to do enterprise with us, together with performing their obligations below agreements involving our … cloud providers.”

The US authorities stepped up scrutiny of Chinese language companies throughout an ongoing commerce dispute between the 2 nations. US authorities have lengthy accused China of mental property theft.

In 2019, the Trump administration positioned Chinese language tech large Huawei on an financial blacklist because of nationwide safety issues.

A view of Ant Group headquarters on August 8, 2021 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China.
The US has accused China of mental property theft for years.
VCG through Getty Photos

In August 2020, Trump’s State Division known as for an expanded “clear community” initiative with a view to “forestall US residents’ most delicate private data and our companies’ most precious mental property, together with COVID-19 vaccine analysis, from being saved and processed on cloud-based programs accessible to our overseas adversaries.”

And final March, the Federal Communications Fee recognized Huawei and 4 different Chinese language corporations as posing “an unacceptable danger to US nationwide safety.”

Alibaba’s regulatory issues aren’t restricted to the US market. The Chinese language authorities has repeatedly fined Alibaba and different tech corporations over antitrust issues.

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