US chip maker Micron Technology is facing a cybersecurity probe from China as tensions between Washington and Beijing over technology exports escalate.
In a move that appears to be retaliation against US restrictions on Chinese companies' access to advanced semiconductor equipment, China's Cyberspace Administration has launched an investigation into Micron's products sold in the country. The watchdog stated that it will review Micron's products to ensure the security of key information infrastructure supply chains and prevent potential cybersecurity risks.
The probe comes as Japan, a US ally, announced restrictions on exporting advanced chip manufacturing equipment to countries including China, following similar moves by the United States and the Netherlands. These curbs aim to limit Beijing's bid to become a tech superpower.
Micron Technology is one of America's largest memory chip makers, with over 10% of its revenue coming from China. The company has warned earlier this year about potential risks associated with doing business in the country, including the possibility of restrictions on market participation or access to key technologies.
The move by China is seen as part of a broader effort by Beijing to exert pressure on foreign companies and bring them into line with its agenda. Last month, authorities closed the Beijing office of US corporate intelligence firm Mintz Group and detained five local staff, while Deloitte's operations in Beijing were suspended for three months and a fine of $31 million was imposed over alleged lapses in auditing a state-owned distressed debt manager.
Shares in Micron sank 4.4% on Wall Street following the news, the biggest drop in more than three months. The company has stated that it is cooperating fully with the investigation and stands by the security of its products.
In a move that appears to be retaliation against US restrictions on Chinese companies' access to advanced semiconductor equipment, China's Cyberspace Administration has launched an investigation into Micron's products sold in the country. The watchdog stated that it will review Micron's products to ensure the security of key information infrastructure supply chains and prevent potential cybersecurity risks.
The probe comes as Japan, a US ally, announced restrictions on exporting advanced chip manufacturing equipment to countries including China, following similar moves by the United States and the Netherlands. These curbs aim to limit Beijing's bid to become a tech superpower.
Micron Technology is one of America's largest memory chip makers, with over 10% of its revenue coming from China. The company has warned earlier this year about potential risks associated with doing business in the country, including the possibility of restrictions on market participation or access to key technologies.
The move by China is seen as part of a broader effort by Beijing to exert pressure on foreign companies and bring them into line with its agenda. Last month, authorities closed the Beijing office of US corporate intelligence firm Mintz Group and detained five local staff, while Deloitte's operations in Beijing were suspended for three months and a fine of $31 million was imposed over alleged lapses in auditing a state-owned distressed debt manager.
Shares in Micron sank 4.4% on Wall Street following the news, the biggest drop in more than three months. The company has stated that it is cooperating fully with the investigation and stands by the security of its products.
china's cyber probe against micron tech 
is getting me 
so worried about global chip supply chain 
! US, japan, netherlands all clashing 
over tech exports 
... china's move looks like retaliation 
against us restrictions 
. micron tech 
is one of americas largest memory chip makers 
. what's next? 
will other big corps be targeted 
? 
shares are already taking a hit 
... let's hope micron stays secure 
! 
.
. It's just another example of how tech companies are caught in the middle of these global tensions 
. China's trying to retaliate against US restrictions on Chinese companies, but isn't that just playing into their hands? I mean, if they're really concerned about security, maybe they should be focusing on building up their own cybersecurity capabilities rather than targeting foreign companies like Micron.
And what about all these restrictions being slapped on Chinese companies? It just creates a whole lot of uncertainty and risk for them, which could ultimately hurt everyone involved. I'm not saying Micron is innocent or anything, but it feels like we're all just getting caught up in this tech Cold War without any real resolution 
.
, china's just trying to protect its own interests and secure its chip supply chains, you know? and what if china wants some americans to back off their own trade restrictions on chinese companies? seems like a bit of a trade-off to me 
. micron tech is already big in china, maybe this is an opportunity for them to work with the chinese gov't and come out stronger on the other side 
! So China launches a probe into Micron's products in China and now Micron's shares are plummeting? Like, what's next? 
it's not even about the chips anymore, it's about who gets to control the flow of tech in asia 
and trust me, china doesn't want to play by american rules 
japan stepping into this game too, now we got a whole cluster of countries trying to dictate what goes on 
But seriously, can't China just chill out and let US companies do their thing? 
They're already limiting access to chip manufacturing equipment, and now they're gonna probe Micron's products in China? That's just basic extortion tactics, am I rite? 
.