In a covert operation, US intelligence officials meticulously monitored and gathered information on a Chinese spy balloon that infiltrated American airspace. The balloon was eventually intercepted and shot down by a US Air Force F-22 fighter jet off the coast of South Carolina in February. This revelation comes as reports suggest that the balloon was equipped with American technology to aid in data collection.

According to NBC News, which cited current and former US officials familiar with the matter, the intelligence officials successfully determined that the spy balloon utilized a US-based internet service provider to navigate and transmit data back to China. The identity of the internet company has been withheld for the protection of their sources.

The Biden administration reportedly sought a court order to authorize surveillance of the balloon as it traversed across multiple states. While it remains unclear whether the order was granted, the officials revealed that intelligence was gathered during the balloon's journey, including intercepted messages exchanged between China and the US internet company.

The balloon, given the name Killeen-23, had embarked on its journey from Alaska and Canada before being intercepted. It had been transmitting real-time information about US military sites to Beijing, as disclosed by two senior US officials and one former senior Biden administration official to NBC News in April. The data collected by the balloon's electronic signals potentially contained communications between base personnel and signals from weapon systems.

Previous reporting from The Wall Street Journal indicated that the spy balloon was laden with American technology specifically designed for photo and information reconnaissance purposes. However, China steadfastly maintained that the balloon was deployed primarily for meteorological observations.

In response to the revelation regarding the internet service provider, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, reiterated that the balloon was simply a weather balloon. The Chinese embassy has not yet responded to requests for comment from Business Insider.

The incident highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding Chinese espionage efforts on American soil. Instances of spy balloons, similar to the one intercepted off the coast of South Carolina, have been observed by the Pentagon multiple times in recent years. Experts have consistently suggested that such technology is likely employed for spying purposes.

As the US military continues to investigate the recovered wreckage of the spy balloon, questions persist regarding the extent and impact of the intelligence gathered by China during its journey across the United States. The use of a US internet service provider by the Chinese balloon underscores the need for continued vigilance and enhanced measures to safeguard national security against potential foreign espionage activities.