The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have conducted a search of the premises of Chinese cybersecurity firm 360 Security Technology, also known as Qihoo 360. The search is part of an investigation into the firm's alleged involvement in cyber espionage and stealing sensitive information. The probe is believed to have political undertones and is seen as a reflection of the ongoing tensions between the US and China over trade and technology. The Chinese government has criticized the search as a politically motivated move, while the US has been increasingly scrutinizing Chinese companies and their activities in the country. Chinese cybersecurity firm 360 Security Technology, also known as Qihoo 360, claims to have helped Beijing uncover 54 'overseas, state-level' hacking groups, including operatives from the CIA and NSA. The company's founder and chairman, Zhou Hongyi, stated that the discovery of CIA and NSA hacking programs targeting China was a key reason for the US sanctions imposed on the company. Qihoo 360 was listed on the New York Stock Exchange from 2011 to 2016. The US Commerce Department added Qihoo 360 to the Entity List in 2020, accusing the company of helping China spy on its minority Muslim Uygur population in Xinjiang. In 2022, the US defense department added Qihoo 360 to a list of Chinese firms with ties to the Chinese military. Zhou also announced that Qihoo 360 will make its industry-specific large language model (LLM) free to use amid a price war in China's generative AI race. [The Herald](https://www.herald.co.zw/us-security-search-premises-of-chinese-firm-probe-has-political-undertones/) [51064ac2]
Chinese cybersecurity firm 360 Security Technology, also known as Qihoo 360, claims to have helped Beijing uncover 54 'overseas, state-level' hacking groups, including operatives from the CIA and NSA. The company's founder and chairman, Zhou Hongyi, stated that the discovery of CIA and NSA hacking programs targeting China was a key reason for the US sanctions imposed on the company. Qihoo 360 was listed on the New York Stock Exchange from 2011 to 2016. The US Commerce Department added Qihoo 360 to the Entity List in 2020, accusing the company of helping China spy on its minority Muslim Uygur population in Xinjiang. In 2022, the US defense department added Qihoo 360 to a list of Chinese firms with ties to the Chinese military. Zhou also announced that Qihoo 360 will make its industry-specific large language model (LLM) free to use amid a price war in China's generative AI race. [South China Morning Post](https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3272819/chinese-cybersecurity-firm-links-us-sanctions-its-role-uncovering-hackers-targeting-china) [09163dc8]