Overview:
Between 2018 and 2023, the state of South Carolina spent $3,854,722 on restricted Chinese technology from Lenovo, Inc. and Lexmark, Inc.
South Carolina is making progress:
In January 2023, Rep. Doug Gilliam sponsored House Bill 3119, an act to prohibit certain contracts with certain foreign-owned companies in connection with critical infrastructure.
The Problem
Technology products by Chinese government-owned technology manufacturers Lenovo and Lexmark have been banned by U.S. military and intelligence agencies due to their connection to the Chinese government and military, but are still being purchased by state government bodies. While federal policy directs information security at the federal level, states must determine their own security standards making states vulnerable to intrusion through the purchase of these risky Chinese technology products and services.
