Chinese authorities have directed domestic companies to cease using cybersecurity software produced by approximately a dozen firms from the United States and Israel, citing national security concerns, according to two individuals familiar with the matter.
The sources stated that the software from U.S. companies Broadcom-owned VMware, Palo Alto Networks, and Fortinet, along with Israeli firm Check Point Software Technologies, is among those affected by the ban.
It remains unclear how many Chinese companies have received the notice, which the sources indicated was distributed in recent days.
The authorities expressed worries that the software might gather and send confidential information overseas, said the sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue.
At the time of reporting, China's Cyberspace Administration and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology had not provided comments in response to inquiries. The four companies also did not respond to requests for comment.