National Security

Nebraska: Senator Bostar’s Bill Heads to Governor Pillen’s Desk

Posted on by China Tech Threat
On April 11th, Senator Eliot Bostar’s bill, the Adopt the Pacific Conflict Stress Test Act and the Foreign Adversary Contracting Prohibition Act (LB 1300), received final approval by a vote of 46-0. The bill will now go to Governor Pillen’s desk for his approval. The Adopt the Pacific Conflict Stress Test Act and the Foreign Adversary Contracting Prohibition Act will prepare Nebraska’s supply chains and critical infrastructure for the risk of a Pacific conflict with China. Senator Bostar stated, “Just by preparing here, here in Nebraska, we are in effect doing our part to prevent a conflict from even starting”. CTT applauds Senator Bostar’s leadership to protect Nebraskans from the threat of the Chinese Communist Party and encourages Governor Pillen… Read More

Bills To Stop China Tech Spending Advance, State Momentum Grows, Dangerous Spending Continues – March 19

Posted on by China Tech Threat
From 1 to 9 to 16: States Are Acting To Ban Dangerous China Tech. In 2019, Vermont was the single state that had banned risky technology by companies owned or operated by the Chinese government. By 2023, when China Tech Threat (CTT) released its States of Denial vs States of Momentum report, that number had grown to nine with four states passing laws in the spring of 2023 alone. As of March 1, 2024, 16 additional states are considering legislation and Utah is expected to be the first in 2024, as a new bill passed by the legislature awaits Governor Cox’s signature. Scroll below for interviews with several state lawmakers on why they made this issue a priority.  .kb-image10199_655e6a-7d .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}… Read More

Lenovo’s Last Ditch Lobbying Fails as Senator McCay Successfully Restricts PRC Tech from Utah

Posted on by China Tech Threat
In the wanning hours of the 2024 Utah legislative session, HB 404 – which would stop the state from purchasing tech manufactured by PRC-owned companies – was challenged on the floor of the Senate. Senator Daniel McCay, the senate sponsor, successfully deflected an 11th hour attempt to weaken his bill. Here is how he explained the challenge: One company is highly motivated… has hired a lobbyist, which is certainly within their right … we looked in procurement and since 2018 [the State of Utah has] spent more than $50 million with that company. I can understand why they’re concerned about losing a $50 million deal or contract, but… the problems that we have as a country trying to secure our… Read More

Video: NH Rep. Roy on Bill To Prohibit Contracts with Chinese Government Owned Tech

Posted on by China Tech Threat
Under the leadership of New Hampshire State Representative Terry Roy, the Granite State joins the growing momentum as states take policy action to ban the purchase of dangerous technology from Chinese government owned or affiliated technology manufacturers. China Tech Threat’s May 2023 report showed New Hampshire spent $204,765 on restricted Chinese technology from Lexmark, Inc. and Lenovo, Inc. While the amount spent isn’t as high as some states, of equal concern is that the risky technology is being used throughout state government offices in the Legislative Branch, the Treasury Department and even the Judicial Branch. In January 2023, Rep. Terry Roy sponsored House Bill 86, prohibiting the state from contracting with Chinese government owned or affiliated technology manufacturers like Lenovo… Read More

VIDEO: UT Bill To Stop China Tech Purchases Passes Full House

Posted on by China Tech Threat
On February 22, Utah bill HB 404, the Public Entity Restrictions bill passed the full House with sweeping bipartisan support and is now before the Senate rules committee. Bill cosponsor Karianne Lisonbee has been committed to stopping taxpayer dollars from being used to purchase technology from CCP-owned companies. China Tech Threat (CTT) talked with Rep. Lisonbee about the need for this legislation and her warnings about the more than $34 million the state has already spent on restricted China tech: “I am very concerned about the privacy of our individual citizens, their ability to control where their data goes, and who it goes to. We should also be very concerned about the amount of taxpayer money that is going to… Read More

New CTT Data Indicates States Continue To Spend Millions on Restricted Tech

Posted on by China Tech Threat
States Making Progress to Curtail Further Spending China Tech Threat’s original 2020 research found that nearly 40 states had contracts to purchase technology Chinese government-owned technology manufacturers Lenovo and Lexmark. Beginning in Fall 2022, we began to re-examine data from each state to determine if the states have made payments to either company, how much was spent, and where those products were deployed. As of May 2023, we verified payments from 48 states totaling more than $285 million since 2015, with some states spending as much as $47 million on Lexmark or Lenovo products. (Read the briefing paper here.) In January 2024 we returned to this research in select states and discovered that states currently debating bills to stop the… Read More

Key Kentucky Departments Are at Risk Due to Continued Spending on Restricted Chinese Tech

Posted on by China Tech Threat
Kentucky continues to spend taxpayer dollars on restricted Chinese technology from Lenovo Inc. and Lexmark Inc. Following original research released in 2023, China Tech Threat’s (CTT) updated report found that in 2024 Kentucky bought an additional $920,340 worth of restricted technology from the two companies, on top of the $1,805,465 it spent in previous years. The updated data shows that the state has now brought its total spending on restricted technology from Lenovo, Inc. and Lexmark, Inc. between 2015 and 2024 to a total of $8,488,286. Chinese government-owned technology manufacturers Lenovo and Lexmark have been restricted from U.S. military and intelligence agencies due to their connection to the Chinese government and military. CTT’s research relevels that the State Police Department,… Read More

CTT and FAI Jointly Submit Comments to the FCC on National Security

Posted on by China Tech Threat
China Tech Threat (CTT) and the Foundation for American Innovation (FAI) submitted joint reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet. The proceeding attempts to classify broadband under Title II of the 1934 Communications Act, offering the Commission a set of tools to regulate internet prices and traffic under statues defined for Ma Bell.    CTT and FAI appreciate and agree with the FCC that national security and public safety are worthy public policy goals. The FCC has implemented 72 critical actions to promote national security and public safety since 2017. These items, mostly presented by the FCC’s Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau, address critical issues like equipment safety and integrity, supply chain… Read More

Statement by China Tech Threat on Recent News Story

Posted on by China Tech Threat
A news story posted which reflects China Tech Threat (CTT)’s success highlighting the danger of using technology manufactured by Chinese-owned companies.   During the course of our discussion with this publication, we repeatedly asserted that since its origin in 2019, CTT has never published anything that was factually incorrect. Likewise, the outlet was unable to identify any inaccuracies or sources which contradicted CTT’s research.   We are proud of our work and commend the many organizations, experts, and policymakers that create transparency about the risk of using technology owned and affiliated with the Chinese government.    .kb-row-layout-id9927_e6b475-ed .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id9927_e6b475-ed .kt-row-column-wrap) .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id9927_e6b475-ed .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id9927_e6b475-ed{background-color:#f3f3f3;}.kb-row-layout-id9927_e6b475-ed .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id9927_e6b475-ed .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id9927_e6b475-ed .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}} .kadence-column9927_58cc13-40… Read More

The Greatest Trojan Horse in History

Posted on by China Tech Threat
In the past year, public controversy over TikTok has died down somewhat. That doesn’t make it any less dangerous. The end of 2022 saw a deluge of reporting that should lead state and federal officials to conclude that TikTok, the app owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is the greatest Trojan Horse in history and should be banned.   In brief, under Chinese law, any Chinese-owned company is bound to do what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) commands in the name of national security. It doesn’t matter where a company’s data is stored—under Chinese law, the Party is entitled to it. That presents enormous potential for the CCP to weaponize TikTok—the most downloaded app in the world—against the U.S. and its… Read More