The Chinese spy balloon attracted warranted attention and headlines as its path covered sensitive areas, including travel over North Carolina, which has one of largest military footprints in the country. Another threat that needs attention and action is the nearly $18 million dollars North Carolina spent on restricted Chinese technology.
As detailed in China Tech Threat’s fact sheet, North Carolina spent $17,896,776 on risky Chinese technology from Lexmark and Lenovo, manufacturers already restricted by U.S. military and intelligence agencies due to their connections to the Chinese government and military. The Department of Revenue, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and the General Assembly, among other agencies, have purchased this technology making the sensitive state and citizens’ data they manage vulnerable to Chinese surveillance. (Read more about Lexmark, Lenovo and three other dangerous Chinese government-owned tech manufacturers in our May briefing paper.)
But, like the 17 states taking action to ban state agencies from purchasing and deploying Chinese technology, North Carolina can enact legislation to ensure its data security. Specific efforts legislators in the Tar Heel State can mirror include those of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem who signed SB 189 into law in March, Idaho Governor Brad Little who signed HB 294 and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders who signed HB 1789 in April, and, most recently, on May 1 Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb who signed SB 477.
CTT encourages North Carolina’s leaders to join these other states and pass legislation prohibiting these risky technology purchases.
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