Indiana University Cybersecurity Professor Not Arrested or Detained, Lawyer Confirms

XiaoFeng Wang, a respected cybersecurity professor at Indiana University since 2004, was abruptly dismissed on March 28 amid a federal law enforcement operation. Following the searches of his and his wife Nianli Ma’s homes by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, his attorney, Jason Covert, has confirmed that neither has been arrested, detained, or charged with any crimes.

The sudden termination has sparked controversy and questions about due process, with faculty members such as Alex Tanford arguing that the dismissal violated university policy. In response, the American Association of University Professors has called for Wang’s reinstatement. Recent supplemental details indicate that additional steps, including the removal of their profiles from the university’s website on March 30, have only deepened concerns over the transparency of the ongoing investigation.