China orders state agencies to uninstall Windows as it cuts dependence on US tech
As per a report from Bloomberg, the Chinese Ministry of State Security has informed some state-linked entities to uninstall the Microsoft software. It is said that this move was driven by data security concerns, though no specific vulnerabilities were detailed. Do note that Chinese state…
As per a report from Bloomberg, the Chinese Ministry of State Security has informed some state-linked entities to uninstall the Microsoft software. It is said that this move was driven by data security concerns, though no specific vulnerabilities were detailed.
Do note that Chinese state agencies do not use the same Windows version that you may have used on your laptop or PC. Instead, they use a customised version of Windows 10, developed by C&M Information Technologies or CMIT.
What Happened
The joint venture was set up to ensure Windows 10 complied with Beijing’s security requirements. But China has decided to retire it months before the original schedule.
CMIT is a joint venture set up in 2016 between Microsoft and state-owned China Electronics Technology Group.
As per reports, this version of Windows 10 was originally set to be retired in February 2027.
Beijing began a three-year replacement of foreign PCs in government offices in 2019, and in 2022 told central agencies and state firms to remove foreign-branded computers.
Key Details
This version, among other tweaks, allowed government users to use Chinese encryption algorithms instead of Microsoft’s standard cryptography. Several Chinese companies, including Kylin Software and Tongxin Software Technology have introduced their own versions of operating systems for computers to replace Windows.
Other European countries including Germany, Denmark, and Austria, have also been moving away from Microsoft’s systems.
In April this year, France announced that it was moving all government ministries from Windows to Linux.
But China is not the only one who is moving away from Windows.
Why It Matters
Kylin Software has developed Linux-based Kylin OS, while Tongxin has Unity OS, based on Debian, another Linux system. The order fits into a wider official push to replace imported technology in sensitive sectors, including the military and state-owned firms.
In AI hardware too, China has been leaning more on Huawei Technologies Co.
At least some sensitive state-affiliated entities have also banned Apple’s iPhones.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge
