Downed Chinese spy balloon used American internet provider to navigate US: report
- According to NBC News, US officials gathered intelligence during the balloon’s journey, including the messages sent to and from China using the internet firm
- A US fighter jet shot the orb down off the coast of South Carolina in February
A US air force F-22 fighter jet shot the balloon down off the coast of South Carolina in February after the device floated across the US for more than a week.
During that time, US intelligence officials were tracking the balloon, NBC News reported, citing two current and one former US official close to the matter. They learned the balloon used a US-based internet service provider, according to NBC News, which declined to name the internet company to protect the identities of their sources.
The anonymous officials said the Biden administration sought a court order allowing intelligence officials to surveil the balloon as it made its way across the states.
Though it’s unclear whether the order was granted, the US officials told NBC News that intelligence was gathered during the balloon’s journey, including the messages sent to and from China using the US internet company.
The balloon was reportedly loaded with American technology to help it gather photos and information, prior reporting from The Wall Street Journal found.
