As part of our ongoing FOIA project to unveil taxpayer funds being used to purchase Chinese government-owned products at the state level, China Tech Threat has analyzed the State of North Dakota. The analysis found that it has spent over $26,000 on Lenovo products in recent years, despite the Chinese government having access and control over all data on their products.
Read our full North Dakota FOIA report here:
The City of Fargo Government which is responsible for a range of civic institutions including the city’s public health system, has spent at least $17,000.00 on Lenovo equipment. In doing so, it has put both Fargo’s residents, and the people of North Dakota, at risk.
Both state and federal officials representing North Dakota should work together to take action against these risky purchases. Both Sherry Neas, State Procurement Manager of the state and Shawn Riley, State Chief Information Officer, of the state, can work within the state government to prevent Lenovo products from being used or purchased.
In Congress, Senator John Hoeven and Senator Kevin Cramer have both spoken out against China’s increasing transgressions. Senator Hoeven has a long history of acting tough on China, especially when it comes to trade and manufacturing. “There are things we can do to help as we negotiate, but ultimately we’ve got to get China to trade on a fair basis, not steal our technology, and take down some of these trade barriers,” Hoeven has said. Moreover, Senator Cramer recently led legislation that increases transparency, protects American investors, and prevents companies owned or controlled by foreign governments, most notably China, from continuing to exploit our financial system. “It’s asinine that we’re giving Chinese companies the opportunity to exploit hardworking Americans,” Cramer said about the bill.
This bipartisan issue effects all Americans. We urge those who can act to do so and we hope that our elected officials who work to protect user privacy will resolve this increasingly concerning threat.