Microsoft Fears Because Of Chinese Bitcoin Mining Near US Military Base

JAKARTA US technology giant Microsoft recently expressed concern about security related to cryptocurrency mining operations carried out by China. The mining site is near a data center supporting Pentagon operations and US Air Force bases tasked with controlling nuclear missiles.

According to a report published by the Microsoft security team in August 2022, the location of the Bitcoin mining facility adjacent to the US military base "suggests significant threats". This threat allows China to "conduct large-scale intelligence gathering operations," the New York Times reported.

Microsoft reports highlight mining facilities linked to Chinese companies in Wyoming. This industrial facility is adjacent to Microsoft's data center that supports the Pentagon's operations. Its location is only about a mile from the F.E. Warren Air Force Base, where nuclear missile storage is under US Air Force control.

Although there is no evidence of "bad activity" from the owner of a crypto mining facility, Microsoft insists that the large computing power and presence of Chinese personnel near the site are the basis for suspicion of potential espionage against US military operations.

In addition to intelligence issues, the large computing facilities needed for cryptocurrency mining also consume enormous amounts of electricity. This triggers concerns that mining could burden the power grid if regulated or manipulated with malicious intent.

Brian Harrell, a former Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection at the US Department of Homeland Security during the Trump administration, confirmed that the increase in cryptocurrency mining by the Chinese government near sensitive locations "must immediately trigger further investigations and surveillance."