The Department of Justice and Commerce Department launched a joint effort to protect technology and supply chains from interference and theft by China and other adversaries.
The two agencies announced the Disruptive Technology Strike Force on Thursday. The strike force will focus on countering efforts by China, Russia, and North Korea to steal innovative technologies to enhance their mass surveillance or weapons development. The partnership adds to the Biden administration's tech war on China, which notably includes new export controls over semiconductors and chips.
RUSSIA FROZEN OUT AS WORLD LEADERS GATHER IN MUNICH TO DISCUSS UKRAINE
“The Disruptive Technology Strike Force aims at those who imperil our national security and the rule of law by illegally transferring sensitive technologies to foreign adversaries,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen in a statement. “We must remain vigilant in enforcing export control laws, which defend military readiness, preserve our technological superiority over our adversaries, and help to protect human rights and democratic values.”
The strike force will “use intelligence and data analytics to target illicit actors, we will enhance our public-private partnerships to harden supply chains, and we will identify early warning of threats to our critical assets, like semiconductors,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said during an appearance at the Chatham House in London this week, according to CyberScoop. “Our goal is simple but essential — to strike back against adversaries trying to siphon off our best technology.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
China has regularly worked to steal U.S. technological secrets through corporate espionage and cybersecurity attacks.
The United States implement several export controls in recent months that were intended to limit Chinese access to chips to slow their ability to innovate or develop better military equipment. China, in the meantime, has cut back on its efforts to expand its internal investments into chip innovations.