In a new report released on Thursday, it was revealed that the Chinese spy craft that flew over the U.S. earlier this year had been communicating with mainland China through an American internet provider. The report, based on information from two current and one former Biden administration officials, highlights the potential security concerns associated with the use of domestic internet infrastructure.

According to NBC News, the spy craft utilized a U.S. internet provider to receive predominantly navigational communications. However, the report does not disclose the specific internet provider involved. The company in question denied any involvement, asserting that its own investigation and discussions with U.S. officials led them to the conclusion that their services were not utilized by the Chinese spy craft.

One of the officials interviewed claimed that the spy craft employed high-bandwidth burst transmissions to transmit information while in flight. This raises concerns about the extent and nature of the data being transferred between the craft and mainland China.

The report also sheds light on the Biden administration's response to the situation. It mentioned that the administration had sought a highly secretive order from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to collect intelligence on the spy craft as it flew over multiple states. This order, if granted, would have granted the government the ability to monitor the craft's communications during its journey.

The report further revealed that China has a history of covertly utilizing commercial internet providers in different nations as backup communication networks. Encrypted networks are often preferred for their heightened security measures, making them attractive to nations engaging in espionage activities.

To NBC News, Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu insisted that the craft was a weather balloon that had accidentally drifted into U.S. airspace due to meteorological factors. Liu maintained that the craft was primarily used for meteorological research and had limited self-steering capabilities.

While the Biden administration officials stated that the spy balloon did not collect or transmit data, a previously undisclosed phone call between Gen. Mark Milley, President Biden's top military adviser, and NORAD chief Gen. Glen VanHerck, suggested otherwise. The phone call, which took place on January 27, reportedly involved discussions about China's surveillance balloon. According to NBC News, sources claim that the administration initially intended to keep the balloon's existence hidden from Congress and the public, although a senior Biden administration official denied these allegations.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on the report, while Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and Chinese Embassy for their input. The article emphasizes the potential security implications of foreign entities utilizing domestic internet infrastructure for clandestine communication purposes.

As the details of this incident continue to unfold, concerns regarding cybersecurity and the protection of sensitive intelligence capabilities remain paramount. The revelations presented in this report raise questions about the vulnerability of American internet providers to foreign espionage activities and the need for robust safeguards to protect national security interests.