NEW: Introducing “Paper Trail,” ProPublica’s new podcast. Each episode, we’ll take you inside an investigation, uncovering hidden facts and secrets — and doing what we do best: showing you the receipts. ▶️ Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. First episode drops May 14: propub.li/42ULaRa

1) In my latest investigation into @microsoft.com's business with the federal government, the revolving door is in full swing. THREAD 🧵

1) THREAD: Federal cybersecurity reviewers said this @microsoft.com cloud package was “a pile of shit.” They gave it their seal of approval anyway. Here’s how it happened 👇

This is a long article, but very much worth your time. It also tells the story of how FedRAMP has turned into a rubber stamp for well funded software vendors. And yet it still serves as a barrier to entry for new contenders. Meanwhile, the USG suffers massive tech debt, despite massive spending.

Expert: “This is not a happy story in terms of the security of the U.S. This is not security. This is security theater." Incredible reporting from @propublica.org 's @reneedudley.bsky.social with research by Doris Burke www.propublica.org/article/micr...

NEW: Federal Cyber Experts Thought Microsoft’s Cloud Was “a Pile of Shit.” They Approved It Anyway. A program created to protect the government against cyber threats authorized a sprawling Microsoft cloud product, despite the company’s inability to fully explain how it protects sensitive data.

NEW: The Defense Department has tightened cybersecurity requirements for its cloud services providers. The changes come after ProPublica revealed how Microsoft’s use of China-based engineers left sensitive government data vulnerable to hacking. By @reneedudley.bsky.social

BREAKING: Microsoft failed to disclose key details about its use of China-based engineers in Defense Department IT work, according to security document obtained by @propublica.org: www.propublica.org/article/micr...

In addition to its work for the Pentagon, Microsoft has used overseas employees, including China-based personnel, to support the cloud systems of federal departments such as parts of the DOJ, Treasury and Commerce, ProPublica has learned. By @reneedudley.bsky.social, w/ research by Doris Burke

Very thoughtful response to great @propublica.org reporting by @reneedudley.bsky.social and Doris Burke: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Our investigation revealed how a little-known Microsoft program could leave some of the U.S. government’s most sensitive data vulnerable to hacking from its leading cyber adversary. TL;DR, these are the 9 biggest takeaways ⤵️

Musk’s offer of free Starlink for the White House puzzled some former officials. But it immediately struck ProPublica reporters as the potential Trump-era iteration of a tried-and-true business maneuver they’d spent months reporting on last year. By @reneedudley.bsky.social