White House Accuses Alibaba of Aiding Chinese Military Operations Against US
The White House has formally accused Chinese tech giant Alibaba of providing technical support to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for operations targeting the United States, according to a declassified national security memo.
Key Takeaways
- White House alleges Alibaba provides PLA with technical support for US operations
- Declassified intelligence cites access to customer data and AI services
- Alibaba denies allegations but avoids commenting on PLA relationship
- US lawmakers push for delisting Chinese companies over military ties
The memo, shared with the Financial Times, raises national security concerns about Alibaba supplying capabilities that threaten US interests. This reflects broader US government worries about Chinese cloud services and AI technologies potentially accessing sensitive American data.
Intelligence Findings
According to the declassified intelligence, Alibaba allegedly provides the Chinese government and PLA with access to extensive customer data including:
- IP addresses
- WiFi information
- Payment records
The company is also accused of supplying various AI-related services to the military.
Alibaba’s Response
Alibaba rejected the White House’s claims in a statement to FT. However, the company declined to comment on whether it has ever maintained a relationship with the PLA.
The allegations emerge as militaries worldwide increasingly depend on private companies for technology needs, with modern weapons systems relying on computer networks and cloud services.
Broader Security Concerns
While the memo doesn’t specify PLA targets in the US, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence warned this year that China could compromise American infrastructure for use during conflicts.
A March threat assessment highlighted Chinese cyber activities, including the Salt Typhoon campaign against US telecom networks, demonstrating expanding capabilities.
Political Response
Republican Representative John Moolenaar, chair of the House China committee, told FT that the Alibaba claims align with his committee’s concerns about Chinese companies being subject to national laws that override global customer protections.
“The federal government and industry must take steps to protect the American people and eliminate Chinese companies’ access to our markets and innovation,” Moolenaar noted.
In May, US lawmakers including Moolenaar urged the SEC to delist 25 Chinese companies, including Alibaba, citing alleged PLA ties and China’s “military-civil fusion” initiative that requires technology sharing with the military.
