Democrats warn candidates not to use Chinese devices ‘even if the price is low or free’

REUTERS/Stringer

• The Democratic National Committee warned candidates
  running in the November midterms not to use devices
  manufactured by the Chinese electronics firms ZTE and Huawei,
  “even if the price is low or free,” according to a CNN
  report.
• The DNC was reportedly considering purchasing ZTE phone
  for its staffers when it issued its warning.
• The warning comes amid renewed government scrutiny of
  consumer devices manufactured by Chinese companies.

The Democratic National Committee warned candidates running in
the November midterms not to use devices manufactured by the
Chinese electronics firms ZTE and Huawei, “even if the price is
low or free,”
according to a CNN report published on Friday.

The DNC was reportedly considering purchasing ZTE phones for its
staffers when it issued its warning, a senior Democratic source
told CNN.

“It’s very important that party and campaign workers not use ZTE
or Huawei devices, even if the price is low or free,” chief
security officer Bob Lord reportedly wrote.

Lord also warned staffers not to use the Chinese-produced devices
“anywhere within your staff – for personal or work-related use.”

The warning comes amid government scrutiny of consumer devices
manufactured by Chinese firms. Lawmakers like Sen. Marco Rubio of
Florida, have criticized and pushed for economic
penalties against ZTE and Huawei for their “extensive ties
with the Chinese Communist Party,” and their “track record of
doing business with rogue regimes like North Korea and Iran.”

REUTERS/Sergio Perez

“In a country full of bad actors when it comes to hurting
American jobs and threatening our national security, Huawei and
ZTE are two of the absolute worst offenders,” a group of
bipartisan lawmakers said in a statement to block the US
government from buying or leasing telecommunications equipment
from the companies.

US intelligence agencies have also remained wary of the companies
for possible cybersecurity risks. Agencies like the FBI, CIA, and
NSA have expressed concern that companies like Huawei, which was
founded by a former engineer in the Chinese People’s Liberation
Army, could be covert fronts for the Chinese government.

“It provides the capacity to maliciously modify or steal
information,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said to a Senate
Intelligence Committee hearing in February. “And it provides the
capacity to conduct undetected espionage.”

Following the intelligence hearing, ZTE fought back against the
claims and downplayed any security concerns.

“As a publicly traded company, we are committed to adhering to
all applicable laws and regulations of the United States, work
with carriers to pass strict testing protocols, and adhere to the
highest business standards,” a ZTE spokesperson said at the time.

The US imposed a supplier ban against ZTE in April, after it was
caught violating US sanctions and was found to have shipped US
technology to Iran and North Korea. While the ban was in effect
and the fate of ZTE’s US subsidiary was uncertain, the company is
believed to have spent $1.4 million to lobby Washington through
parties and donations, according to a New York Times report published on Wednesday.

The ban was lifted in July, after the company paid $1 billion as
part of a settlement agreement.