U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s latest comments about the threats posed by Chinese technology companies are yet another reminder that these threats are real. Now more than ever it is important for states to take action, especially in Washington where the Office of the Secretary of State is one of many agencies spending millions on dangerous Chinese technology.
China Tech Threat’s (CTT) recent report revealed that the state of Washington spent $11,131,168 on restricted Chinese technology from Lexmark and Lenovo between 2016 and 2023. Our Washington fact sheet shows the Joint Legislative Systems Committee, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Department of Revenue, and the Office of the Secretary of State are all departments that have purchased this technology, putting their data and sensitive information at risk of being leaked to the PRC.
CTT urges Washington’s legislature to follow legislators in over a dozen states who have acted to ban state agencies from purchasing and deploying Chinese technology to prevent the exposure of government and citizens’ sensitive information to the Chinese government. Specifically, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed SB 189 into law in March, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed HB 294 and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed HB 1789 in April, and most recently, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed SB 477 on May 1.
The citizens of Washington are at risk, and it is important for the Washington legislature to put an end to these vulnerabilities. State contracts with Chinese technology companies need to be brought to an end in order to ensure the highest protection of Washington’s sensitive data and information.
Be sure to check out the blog on Substack.