Beijing has quietly told some domestic companies and public-sector organizations to stop using cybersecurity software from a number of U.S. and Israeli suppliers, according to multiple media reports citing people familiar with the matter.
Officials have framed the guidance as a national security precaution, reflecting concerns that foreign-made cybersecurity tools could potentially gather sensitive information or transmit data outside China.
The move fits into China’s broader push for “tech sovereignty”—a long-running effort to reduce dependence on overseas technology and accelerate the growth of homegrown alternatives, particularly in strategically sensitive areas like cybersecurity.
Companies reportedly affected
The reported restrictions target products from several major international cybersecurity firms, including:
- VMware (owned by Broadcom)
- Palo Alto Networks
- Fortinet
- Check Point Software Technologies
Wider context and impact
News of the directive appeared to rattle markets, with shares of some affected cybersecurity companies—most notably Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet—falling after the reports surfaced.
The development highlights deepening technology tensions between China and the United States, as both countries compete for influence and self-sufficiency in critical fields such as software, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors.
Despite the widespread coverage, Chinese regulators have not publicly confirmed the policy, and none of the companies named have formally acknowledged receiving such instructions so far.
