According to a recent report by Newsweek, a Chinese spy balloon that flew over the United States in early 2023 was equipped with American technology that could have been used for spying on Americans. The balloon, which flew from Alaska to South Carolina and passed over sensitive military installations, was shot down by the US and recovered from the Atlantic Ocean. It was found to contain technology from at least five US firms, including a satellite communication module, sensors, and surveillance equipment. The balloon may have also been carrying launchable gliders for collecting more detailed data.
The tech found in the balloon matched that in a patent awarded to scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Aerospace Information Innovation Research Institute in Beijing. The analysis of the balloon’s material also revealed technology from four other US companies and one Swiss company. The US military had previously stated that the balloon was part of a large-scale surveillance program operated by China, while China claimed it was a meteorological balloon that had strayed off course due to strong winds. A Chinese spokesperson reiterated that the intrusion into US airspace was accidental and caused by “force majeure”. The incident has raised concerns about national security and the potential for foreign entities to compromise sensitive information using American technology.
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