Chinese technology giant Alibaba
has firmly denied allegations that it assisted Beijing in conducting cyber or intelligence operations targeting the United States. The firm told AFP that the claims published in the Financial Times were “completely false,” rejecting suggestions that it provided sensitive technical support to Chinese military agencies or government projects.
The Financial Times report cited a White House memo asserting that Alibaba had transferred user data such as IP addresses, WiFi details, and payment records to the People’s Liberation Army. The document reportedly accused the Chinese firm of aiding surveillance activities, but the publication stated it could not independently verify the authenticity of the memo or its contents.
Alibaba described the allegations as a “malicious public relations operation” meant to damage the company’s reputation and undermine ongoing trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The Hangzhou-based e-commerce and cloud computing leader emphasized that it operates transparently and in accordance with regulatory laws in all countries where it provides services.
The Chinese embassy in Washington also dismissed the memo’s claims, reaffirming that the Chinese government does not compel companies to collect or share foreign user data in breach of local laws. Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu stated that China advocates responsible data governance and cooperation, calling the accusations politically motivated and detrimental to global digital trust.
The controversy arises amid renewed friction between the United States and China as both nations compete for technological leadership. Recent concerns in Washington about cyber threats have intensified following revelations by Anthropic, which reported detecting and halting an autonomous AI-driven espionage attempt. Analysts warn that such incidents could further strain already fragile communication channels between the two economic superpowers.
