Microsoft · Full chronicle and history

On October 21, Microsoft released a report stating that Storm-0940, a hacking group linked to the Chinese government, has been using the AI tool ARTEX since September to breach Microsoft 365 systems with credentials from the cloud backup application of U.S. IT service provider ConnectWise, attacking hundreds of government, military, semiconductor, and think tank organizations worldwide. In some attacks, high-level cloud privileges were obtained in under three hours. ConnectWise has acknowledged the security incident and is restoring services in phases.

US Vice President Vance announced the suspension of eight technology companies, including Microsoft, from participating in the H-1B visa program, and launched an investigation into the J-1 visa programs at nine universities.

Option traders expect Microsoft's market capitalization to fluctuate by approximately $190 billion following its Q4 earnings announcement, with related options indicating a potential upside of about 6.6%.

Starting July 28, 2026, Microsoft officially ceased providing the personal edition of Teams on desktop and web in mainland China, marking a further tightening and adjustment of overseas collaboration and communication software's personal business in China.

In late July 2026, four tech giants released their Q2 earnings reports, with combined cash capital expenditures of $165.05 billion, up 827% year-on-year, accounting for 96% of the $171.7 billion in operating cash flow over the same period; among them, the comparable free cash flow of Alphabet and Amazon was negative.

In 2021, Microsoft Exchange was attacked by the Chinese government, and tens of thousands of institutions in government, academia, defense and industry were affected.