US Intelligence: Chinese Spy Balloon Used American Internet Service Provider for Data Transmission
US intelligence agencies have discovered that the Chinese surveillance balloon, which traversed the United States in early 2023, utilized an American internet service provider to send data related to navigation and location back to China, according to a US official.
Connection to American Internet Service Provider
US intelligence agencies have revealed that the Chinese surveillance balloon that passed through the United States in early 2023 was able to transmit data related to its navigation and location via an American internet service provider. This connection allowed the US to track the balloon's whereabouts and gather valuable information about its activities during its journey across the country.
Although the specific internet service provider has not been identified, it has been previously reported that the balloon had the capability to communicate with Beijing as it traveled across the US. This network connection provided a crucial link for the balloon to transmit data back to China.
No Transmission of Intelligence
According to a US official, the network connection between the surveillance balloon and the American internet service provider was not used to transmit intelligence back to China. Instead, the balloon stored the information, which included imagery and other data, for retrieval at a later time. The US was able to study this information after shooting down the balloon in February.
Both the FBI and the Director of the Office of National Intelligence have declined to comment on the matter, while CNN has sought a response from the Chinese Embassy in Washington.
Continued Denial by China
China continues to maintain that the balloon was merely a weather balloon that had veered off course. However, the US intelligence community has assessed that the spy balloon was part of a comprehensive surveillance program operated by the Chinese military. Over the past few years, the balloon fleet had undertaken numerous missions across five continents, as reported by US officials.
Despite China's claims, previous reports have indicated that Chinese Communist Party leaders did not intend for the balloon to cross into the United States. In fact, they reprimanded the operators of the surveillance program following the incident, suggesting that it was an unintended breach of US airspace.
President Biden's Remarks
President Joe Biden revealed in June that Chinese leader Xi Jinping was taken by surprise when the US shot down the spy balloon. Speaking at a political fundraiser, Biden stated that Xi 'got very upset' after learning about the balloon's existence, as he was unaware of its presence. Biden drew a parallel between Xi and 'dictators' who become embarrassed when they are oblivious to certain events or situations.
