Connection Found Between Chinese Surveillance Balloon and US-Based Internet Service Provider

Early this year, the US claimed that a Chinese surveillance balloon flying above the country was connected to China by a US internet provider. Unnamed US intelligence officials told NBC News that a US internet provider helped maintain the Chinese balloon’s communication network.

Photo from Google

US Accusations on Chinese Spy Balloon Data Denied After Internal Review

Investigations found that the internet company sent and received Chinese balloon data. An internal review by the unidentified corporation found no evidence for US intelligence authorities’ accusations.

Due to westerlies and its restricted self-steering, the meteorological research blimp drifted into US airspace, according to the Chinese Embassy in Washington. The balloon’s entry was inadvertent, the embassy official said.

A Chinese high-altitude intelligence balloon flew over Montana’s nuclear warhead and long-range missile depots, according to the Pentagon’s February 3 assessment.

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US-China Tensions Rise as Spy Balloon Incident Sparks Military Confrontation

China said the balloon was a civilian meteorological research aircraft that entered US airspace due to winds limiting control. Beijing’s explanation didn’t satisfy Washington. The balloon was shot down by a US military aircraft in American territorial seas on February 4 at President Joe Biden’s request.

US military force to intercept the balloon prompted China’s objection, calling it meddling in a civilian UAV. In contested airspace, military surveillance is difficult, which heightened tensions between the two nations.

According to the US, a Chinese spy balloon was attached to a US internet provider, which permitted communication between the balloon and China. The Chinese Embassy said the balloon’s entry into US airspace was inadvertent and during meteorological research. US forces destroyed the balloon, prompting Chinese diplomatic objections.

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