Introduction
U.S. intelligence officials have disclosed that a Chinese spy balloon, which traversed U.S. airspace earlier this year, employed an American internet service provider to facilitate its communication with China. This revelation raises concerns about potential espionage activities and has prompted the Biden administration to take discreet measures in response.
Connection to U.S.-Based Company
According to two current and one former U.S. official familiar with the assessment, the spy balloon was found to be connected to a U.S.-based company. The assessment highlighted that this connection was utilized for sending and receiving communications primarily related to the balloon’s navigation. Notably, the connection enabled the balloon to transmit burst transmissions, indicating high-bandwidth data collections over short periods.
Secretive Court Order Sought
In response to this security threat, the Biden administration reportedly sought a highly secretive court order from the federal Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. This court order aimed to collect intelligence on the spy balloon while it traversed U.S. airspace. The court’s ruling remains undisclosed, but if granted, it would have permitted U.S. intelligence agencies to conduct electronic surveillance on the balloon and its communications with China.
Provider Denies Involvement
The U.S.-based company linked to the balloon’s communication has denied any association with the espionage activities. The company’s determination, based on its internal investigation and discussions with U.S. officials, contradicts the intelligence assessment.
Chinese Embassy’s Response
Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, asserted that the balloon was a weather balloon conducting meteorological research and unintentionally drifted into U.S. airspace due to weather conditions.
History of Covert Communication
Chinese intelligence officials have a history of covertly using commercially available service providers in various countries, often as backup communication networks. They reportedly seek out encrypted networks or those with strong security protocols for secure communication.
U.S. Efforts to Monitor Chinese Spy Balloon’s Communications
The previously undisclosed U.S. effort to monitor the spy balloon’s communications underscores the seriousness of the security threat. The Biden administration claims to have gained valuable intelligence from the device, emphasizing its ability to protect sensitive sites on the ground.
Protective Measures Taken
Senior administration officials stated that the U.S. military took exhaustive steps to protect against the balloon’s intelligence collection capabilities. General Glen VanHerck, the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), outlined measures such as moving or obscuring sensitive equipment and limiting the release of emergency action messages to prevent potential intelligence collection.
Balloon’s Equipment and Capabilities
After the balloon was shot down, a senior State Department official revealed that it was equipped for surveillance with multiple antennas, including one capable of collecting and geolocating communications. The balloon was also reported to have enormous solar panels providing sufficient power to operate intelligence collection sensors.
Ongoing Secrecy
The findings of the FBI forensics team, which examined the balloon after its interception, remain classified. Federal judges on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court must determine the classified rulings based on probable cause and the necessity of surveillance to obtain foreign intelligence information.
In light of these revelations, the incident raises questions about the extent of foreign espionage activities using unconventional means and the measures required to safeguard national security. The ongoing secrecy surrounding the court rulings adds an additional layer of complexity to this intriguing case.
Source: NBC News