China's Undersea Cable Surveillance Raises Risks for Big Tech

A new report warns that US companies like Google and Meta face significant risks from deep-sea sabotage in the Pacific Ocean. Chinese research ships have been surveying undersea cables, and commercial ships have been investigated for cutting cables in European and Asian waters. While most damage is caused by accidents, analysts suspect China and Russia of engaging in cable sabotage as "gray zone" tactics. A research report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission highlights the growing concern. The report, published in September 2026, was contracted to the London-based think tank China Strategic Risks Institute. The increased scrutiny on cable-cutting damage has placed new attention on the issue, with experts warning of the potential consequences for the global internet infrastructure.