Tech Giants Questioned on Subsea Security Measures Against China and Russia

Three Republican House representatives have inquired whether major tech firms have sufficient safeguards against Chinese and Russian threats to submarine communications cables. The cables, essential for global internet traffic, have raised concerns due to Chinese entities' involvement in maintenance and servicing operations.

In a move highlighting geopolitical tensions, three Republican lawmakers have called on leading tech giants to disclose their security measures concerning submarine communications cables. The cables are pivotal, as they support 99% of international internet data flow.

The lawmakers, worried about potential foreign influence, particularly from China and Russia, addressed their concerns in letters to the CEOs of Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft. These tech companies are heavily invested in the cable systems, either operationally or through ownership stakes.

Key concerns revolve around Chinese-backed entities like SBSS, Huawei Marine, and China Telecom, which provide essential servicing and maintenance to these cable networks. The inquiry emphasizes the national security implications involved with such external involvements.

(With inputs from agencies.)