Beijing’s alleged hacking activity against U.S. businesses has pushed President Barack Obama to order government stop from buying Chinese computer technology.
The new rule, which was covered in a spending bill signed this week, comes after a series of hacks traced back to China hit some of America’s most essential companies.
It might be basically in effect until the end of the fiscal year on September 30, but could yet make ready for more extensive, more lasting changes in how the U.S. government purchases technology.
“This is an alter of course,” said Stewart Baker, a previous senior official at the Homeland Security Department who now works for the legal firm Steptoe and Johnson in Washington.
“My theory is we’re going to continue going in this direction for a while.” He added.
U.S. computer security firm Mandiant in March discharged points of interest on what it said was an aggressive hacking campaign on American businesses by a Chinese military unit.
From that point forward, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew has utilized high-level meetings with Beijing officials to press the matter.
Yet Beijing has denied the allegations.
