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Pentagon Creates 'Do Not Buy' List of Russian, Chinese Software (defenseone.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the off-limits dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Defense One: The Pentagon is warning the military and its contractors not to use software it deems to have Russian and Chinese connections, according to the U.S. Defense Department's acquisition chief. Officials have begun circulating a "Do Not Buy" list of software that does not meet "national security standards," Ellen Lord, defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, said Friday. The Pentagon started compiling the list about six months ago. Suspicious companies are put on a list that is circulated to the military's software buyers. Now the Pentagon is working with the three major defense industry trade associations -- the Aerospace industries Association, National Defense Industrial Association and Professional Services Council -- to alert contractors small and large. Lord said defense officials have also been working with the intelligence community to identify "certain companies that do not operate in a way consistent with what we have for defense standard." Asked if programs and weapons were compromised by foreign software, Lord said, "These are more widespread issues. I don't think we're focused on one particular system."

3 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Software you can trust! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Great to know, a list of software that doesn't contain US government sanctioned backdoors. If the Pentagon doesn't like it, then you can be 99% sure it values your privacy and doesn't harvest your private data.

    The irony, is that i might sound like a troll, but this is the truth.

    1. Re:Software you can trust! by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "If the Pentagon doesn't like it, then you can be 99% sure it values your privacy and doesn't harvest your private data."

      False. All it means is that it doesn't hand it to US intelligence agencies.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  2. Re:Hey, Russia - if you're listening, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Global (outside of US) "Do Not Buy" List":
    * Microsoft
    * Apple
    * Google
    * Facebook (and other "Social Media"
    * Alexa / Cortana / next name "active" "smart" speaker/mic
    * "Cloud" services with any US-based nexus.