Politics & Government
Pillen Signs Order Banning Use Of Technologies From Firms Linked To Chinese Communist Party
He said the order will keep the party from "using technology to infiltrate and influence our state's infrastructure."
By Paul Hammel
March 3, 2023
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LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order Thursday banning the state and its contractors from using communications equipment and services produced by six companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party.
The companies — Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corp., Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Dahua Technology and their subsidiaries — are owned or controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, the governor said in a press release.
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They are all listed on the Federal Communications Commission’s Covered List, which includes companies that are considered a risk to national security.
Pillen said the executive order will keep the Chinese Communist Party from “using technology to infiltrate and influence our state’s infrastructure.”
“I will continue to find opportunities to improve Nebraska’s infrastructure and technology grid while remaining vigilant in protecting our state’s security,” the governor said.
In November, the Biden administration banned purchases of new telecommunications equipment from Huawei and ZTE because they posed “an unacceptable risk” to U.S. security, Reuters reported.
In January, State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln introduced a bill to prohibit Nebraska cell phone providers using Huawei or ZTE equipment from getting funds from the state’s Universal Service Fund.
Huawei has denied that its equipment is a spying threat. The Chinese state helped finance the company, and it was founded by former members of the Chinese military.
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