Microsoft has relied on engineers based in China for years to help maintain some of the U.S. Department of Defense’s

A newly discovered vulnerability in Microsoft’s SharePoint platform has spurred a mad frenzy from hackers — leading to breaches of some Microsoft clients.

Microsoft has responded to the recent global SharePoint vulnerability, stating that it has identified at least three breaches linked to China.

The move comes after a ProPublica report highlighted a Microsoft program that allows foreign engineers to indirectly interact with U.S. military systems through American “escort” intermediaries.

After a ProPublica investigation raised security concerns, Microsoft will cease using China-based engineers for work on sensitive Pentagon cloud computing systems.

The change follows a ProPublica report that outlined how Microsoft’s use of Chinese engineers left U.S. defense clients vulnerable to cybersecurity risks.

Microsoft has used engineers based in China to support highly sensitive US Defence Department cloud systems via a model called "digital escorting", a ProPublica investigation has revealed. American workers with security clearance input commands written by foreign engineers,

National security experts expressed alarm over Microsoft's practices allowing China-based engineers access to Pentagon cloud systems after a ProPublica investigation.