Georgia’s Early Leadership To Prohibit Purchases of Dangerous China Tech Is An Example For Other States

As China Tech Threat (CTT) reported in February, Georgia emerged as an early leader with the passage of SB 346 to protect Georgia residents from China intrusion. Authored by State Rep. Martin Momtahan and signed into law in 2022 by Governor Kemp, the law prohibits companies owned or operated by China from bidding on state contracts. This law was timely as CTT’s research showed Georgia recently spent $47,259,946 on restricted Chinese technology from Lexmark and Lenovo. Implementation of this new law will help eradicate the use of Georgia taxpayer dollars to purchase dangerous Chinese technology. Rep. Momtahan has been working for its enforcement and in a February 2023 letter to Georgia’s Department of Administrative Services, he called for the Department… Read More

Georgia State Rep Calls on Department to Implement Law That Restricts Use of Risky Chinese Tech

Georgia has emerged as an early leader in passing policies restricting Chinese tech infiltration. In the latest action, Georgia State Rep. Martin Momtahan who authored Georgia’s law that prohibits enterprises owned or operated by the People’s Republic of China from submitting bids for state contracts (SB 346) this week issued a letter to Georgia’s Department of Administrative Services urging the law to be enforced. Since Governor Kemp signed the bill into law in May 2022, other states have followed and have taken action. In September, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis released Executive Order 22-216 directing his state’s Department of Management Services to counter Chinese tech threats. In addition, several other states are also currently considering legislation to prohibit the use of restricted Chinese technology.… Read More

Momentum Builds Behind State Actions to Ban Risky Chinese Tech

This spring, Georgia enacted a law that prohibits companies owned or operated by China to bid on or submit a proposal for a state contract. Governor Brian Kemp signed the bill into law in May 2022, calling it “proactive step to enhance our technological and economic security.” The necessary and timely legislation is critical to helping Georgia close the state-federal tech threat disconnect. While the level of risk the use of China-owned technology presents to our national and economic security is so high that it is restricted by the U.S Military, the State Department, our intelligence agencies and elsewhere, these restrictions don’t transcend to the state level. With a March AP report revealing that the Chinese government broke into the computer networks… Read More

4 State Policy Ideas to Counter China Tech Threats

China Tech Threat (CTT) released a memo to state policymakers offering four specific policy ideas to counter China threats at the state level. CTT has been closely tracking the state-federal tech threat disconnect, and warning that while federal agencies and the U.S. military have rightly taken action to restrict the use of tech makers with ownership ties to the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) due to the security risks they pose, those policies are not necessarily adopted at the state level. The memo cites a March 2022 AP report on at least six state governments that were hacked by the Chinese government in the last year. CTT’s own report that found 40 states continue to use Chinese… Read More

GA State Rep. Momtahan Explains State Solutions To Counter China Tech Threats  

China Tech Threat Co-Founder Dr. Roslyn Layton talked with Georgia State Representative Martin Momtahan just days after Governor Brian Kemp signed into law his bill, SB 346, that will prohibit the State of Georgia or any state agencies from contracting with any company owned or operated by the Chinese government.    During the conversation, Rep. Momtahan explains the impetus for his legislation to protect individuals, businesses and government infrastructure in Georgia from technology threats posed by China intrusion and influence. He shares how his experience working in technology security as far back as 2010 helped him recognize the need for stronger state-level restrictions to match similar technology security policies at the federal level, including the Department of Defense.   Rep. Momtahan also explains… Read More

GA on the Cusp of Bolstering the State Against China Tech Threats as Reports of New PRC Hacks Emerge

In February, the Georgia State Senate and House Rules Committee passed legislation, SB 346, that will prohibit the State of Georgia or any state agencies from contracting with any company owned or operated by the Chinese government. Led by State Senator Jeff Mullis and State Representative Martin Momtahan, the legislation is poised for consideration on the House floor.  The necessary and timely legislation advances as a new AP report reveals that the Chinese government broke into the computer networks of at least six state governments in the United States in the last year alone. According to the private cybersecurity firm that revealed the news, the suspected hackers are known for launching attacks for old-fashioned espionage purposes and for financial gain. China Tech Threat (CTT)… Read More

GA, NY Taking Action To Eliminate Risky Chinese Tech Contracts

As tensions between the U.S. and China escalate by the day, the Biden Administration has been making a push to crack down on U.S. trade with Chinese companies that only support the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its enhancement of military capabilities that directly threaten our national and economic security. This approach is recognized as a continuation of the prior administration’s “more competitive — if not confrontational” policies towards China. China Tech Threat is encouraged by these developments as well as new action at the state level to mitigate and eliminate threats from risky Chinese technology. The fact is, federal policy directs information security for federal agencies, but not at the state level. The purchase of many risky tech… Read More