The nation’s chief counterintelligence officer, Mike Casey, has issued a stark warning about a “significant increase” in efforts by foreign spies to infiltrate U.S. tech companies and steal cutting-edge innovations.
Casey, who leads the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center, highlighted the severe risks to America’s economy, national security, and democracy, with China being a primary concern. He noted that China’s goal is to leverage stolen technologies to outpace U.S. competitors, suppress civil liberties within China, and enhance its military power.
“We’re not perfect, but I don’t want to live in the dystopian version of the [People’s Republic of China],” Casey quipped, underscoring the threat posed by China’s actions.
Over the past two years, as American firms have grown more cautious about Chinese investments, U.S. intelligence agencies have observed a rise in China’s use of front companies and proxies to gain access to start-ups and steal their innovative technologies, according to Casey.
Casey acknowledged that part of his concern stems from classified U.S. intelligence, which complicates efforts to alert start-up executives, who often lack security clearances and financial resources, about the risks of partnering with certain investors and entities.
