Through the recent China Tech Ban, states are now treating data as national security rather than just commercial regulation.
China has asked many of its companies to stop using cybersecurity software made by U.S. and Israeli firms because it fears that this foreign software could collect sensitive information and send it outside the country, according to sources quoted by Reuters. This step is also linked to China’s effort to reduce dependence on Western technology and promote its own domestic tech companies, especially at a time when relations with the U.S. are tense.
The ban affects major U.S. companies such as VMware, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Mandiant, Wiz, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Recorded Future, McAfee, Claroty, Rapid7, Imperva, and CyberArk, while the Israeli firms include Check Point Software Technologies, Orca Security, and Cato Networks.
By limiting foreign software, Beijing wants to protect its data systems and reduce risks to its national security while competing with the West for leadership in advanced technologies.
Why Is the China Tech Ban Happening?
China’s logic is very straightforward: Data has now become National Security.
- Data Sovereignty: Beijing cites data sovereignty as the primary reason. Beijing believes that foreign cybersecurity software may contain “backdoors” that agencies like the CIA and Mossad could use for surveillance.
- Weaponization of Interdependence: This is a very important concept. It means that the very dependency your system stands on can be weaponized against you. China fears that in a geopolitical conflict, America could cripple China’s power grids, banks, and telecom systems just by flipping a switch. Beijing wants the control of that “Kill Switch” to remain exclusively with China.
- Why Israel? China has banned not just America, but Israel as well. Israel operates as a global cyber intelligence powerhouse, and its technology often links closely with the U.S. strategic ecosystem. You will recall the Pegasus controversy; after that, China realized it cannot trust any technology that is part of the Western Alliance.
This decision is a major pillar of China’s long-term Decoupling Strategy. They are eliminating Western tech influence.
China Tech Ban and the Rise of the Splinternet
This decision is not just about banning a few companies. It is part of a bigger global trend called the “Splinternet.”
Earlier, the internet worked as one global network. Now, countries are building their own controlled digital spaces. China already manages a tightly controlled internet system where foreign platforms and services face restrictions. By removing Western software and replacing it with local options, China is boosting its own distinct digital ecosystem. This trend indicates that the world is gradually moving toward separate national internets rather than one shared global internet.
The Digital Cold War: A Bipolar Order
The old Cold War was about missiles and territories. The China Tech Ban, aiming at a Digital Cold War rests on three things:
- Data: Considered the “New Oil” of the 21st century.
- Algorithms: Which decide what you see, think, and how you react.
- Infrastructure: 5G, undersea cables, and data centers.
China has invested heavily in developing these according to its own standards. Today, we have two models:
- The American Model: An open internet model advocating global connectivity.
- The Chinese Model: A state-controlled, “Sovereign Internet” model, where the internet is regulated within the country.
The world is moving toward a Bipolar Digital Order.
Global Impact of the China Tech Ban
China’s decision will impact many groups around the world. Global tech companies might lose access to one of the largest markets. Multinational firms will require different software systems for China and other countries, which will raise costs. Developing countries may have to decide between Western technology and Chinese digital infrastructure. Global trade and cooperation in digital services could become harder as rules and systems vary between regions. This might slow down international collaboration and lead to less connected global technology systems.
Global Reaction and What to Expect Next
So far, Western governments and companies view this as another sign of the rising technology rivalry between China and the West. Many experts think that more countries will begin to tighten control over data and digital systems. In the future, we may see more national rules on data storage, increased local technology development, and fewer global digital platforms. In the long term, this could split the digital world into separate blocks with limited interaction.
The “Great Digital Wall of China”
China’s decision is reinforcing what many refer to as the “Great Digital Wall of China.” Just as physical borders protect countries on land, China is now creating strong digital borders to safeguard its data and systems. This may enhance national control and security. However, it also steers the world toward a future where the internet is no longer genuinely global. Instead, it becomes divided by politics, security issues, and competing national interests.
For more such informative articles, stay tuned at The World Times.
