China Bans US, Israeli Cybersecurity Softwares over National Security Concerns

Chinese authorities have instructed domestic companies to stop using cybersecurity software produced by around a dozen firms from the United States and Israel, citing concerns related to national security, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

The sources told Reuters that the banned products include network security and digital system protection software developed by U.S.-based companies, as well as cybersecurity solutions from Israeli firms. Chinese authorities have not publicly disclosed a full list of the affected companies.

The move underscores Beijing’s growing scrutiny of foreign technology amid escalating geopolitical and technological tensions with Washington and its allies.

According to the sources, Chinese regulators are concerned that the software in question could be capable of collecting sensitive data and transmitting it outside the country, an outcome authorities view as a potential threat to national security. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, the sources declined to be identified.

China has in recent years tightened controls over data flows and digital infrastructure, introducing sweeping regulations governing data security, cross-border data transfers, and critical information systems.

The ban comes at a time of intensifying technological competition between China and the United States, against the backdrop of ongoing trade disputes and diplomatic strains. Beijing has increasingly prioritized replacing Western technology with domestically developed alternatives, particularly in sectors deemed strategically sensitive.

While China’s push to build self-sufficiency in semiconductors and artificial intelligence has attracted significant global attention, analysts say cybersecurity has emerged as another focal point of official concern.

Chinese commentators and industry experts have pointed to rising fears within the government that Western hardware and software could be exploited by foreign powers for espionage or sabotage, especially as global cyber threats continue to escalate.

The decision is likely to have repercussions for foreign cybersecurity firms operating in China, a market that has already become more challenging due to regulatory hurdles and tightening national security reviews.

It also signals a broader trend toward digital decoupling, as Beijing seeks to assert greater control over its information infrastructure while reducing reliance on foreign technology, further deepening the technological divide between China and the West.