US Lawmakers Subpoena China Telecom Giants Over Security Threats

In a rare bipartisan move, the U.S. House Select Committee on China has issued subpoenas to Chinese telecom giants China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, compelling them to address concerns about possible exploitation of American data through their U.S. cloud and internet businesses. Lawmakers cite ongoing fears that these companies, which maintain limited operations in the U.S. even after losing key FCC licenses, could access sensitive personal and intellectual property information and potentially share it with the Chinese government or restrict U.S. access. This action follows a series of Chinese-linked cyberattacks, including Volt Typhoon, which heightened concerns over national security and the safety of U.S. critical infrastructure. Despite denials from Beijing regarding any wrongdoing, U.S. regulators and legislators emphasize the need for transparency and cooperation from the telecom firms. The companies face a deadline to respond or risk being held in contempt, underscoring escalating tensions in U.S.-China tech relations. The Chinese embassy has criticized the move, accusing the U.S. of overreaching under the guise of national security.