US Warns Tech Giants of Potential Undersea Cable Sabotage by China-Controlled Firms

US National Security Officials Warn of Potential Undersea Cable Tampering by Chinese-Controlled Ships
US national security officials have raised alarms about the potential tampering of undersea internet cables by China-controlled repair ships, according to reports. These cables, which are partially owned by Big Tech companies like Google and Meta, play a crucial role in maintaining the flow of data between the US and Asia through the Pacific Ocean. Concerns have been particularly directed at SB Submarine Systems, a firm with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, which has been accused of concealing the location of its repair ships by disabling their transponders.
The Wall Street Journal highlighted instances where SBSS vessels, including the Bold Maverick, engaged in suspicious activities such as turning their transponders off and on while stationary in specific areas of the ocean. Such incidents occurred near strategic locations like Singapore, Taiwan, and Indonesia, raising fears of potential espionage or sabotage against the vital data infrastructure that supports both commercial and military operations.
SB Submarine Systems, majority-owned by China Telecom—a company previously banned in the US over national security concerns—has not commented on these allegations. In response to inquiries, the National Security Council emphasized the importance of ensuring that undersea cables are serviced by trusted entities in a transparent and safe manner, suggesting satellite tracking of ships as a measure to bolster security and monitoring.
The issue comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the US and China, with the latter being criticized for its assertive posture towards Taiwan among other geopolitical flashpoints. Despite the allegations, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington defended the legitimacy of Chinese companies conducting business in accordance with the law, accusing the US of smearing Chinese firms under the guise of national security.
Google, Meta, and the State Department have been approached for comments on these developments, highlighting the international concern over the security of undersea data cables that underpin global communications and internet connectivity.