While the Chinese internet giant Tencent is best known for its super app WeChat, it's also a major investor in U.S. tech companies and startups. Some of its most notable and still active investments include Reddit, Snap, and Fortnite creator Epic Games. Things might get a little awkward, though, because Tencent was designated a 'Chinese military company' by the U.S. Department of Defense on Monday. The listing serves as a warning from the U.S. about companies it claims are involved in Chinese 'military-civil fusion' efforts, according to a 2022 DoD press release. The listing has no legal consequences beyond barring U.S. government contractors from doing business with Tencent starting in 2026, according to U.S. law. The notice doesn't specify why the U.S. believes Tencent is helping the Chinese military. Tencent is strongly refuting the listing, telling TechCrunch it is 'clearly a mistake' and 'we are not a military company or supplier.' The Defense Department didn't respond to a...
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