The AG’s tough love letter to foreign adversaries

If Chinese-owned companies, especially those that can access Floridians’ sensitive health care data, were hoping for a box of chocolates this year, they should think again.

Instead, Attorney General James Uthmeier has sent them a different kind of love letter, one that demands they prove that the medical devices they manufacture aren’t collecting biological health data from Floridians – data that could be turned over to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on demand under the country’s China National Security Law.

Given the growing influence of Communist China in the health technology space, this is the kind of tough love letter that all Floridians should support.

Our health care system increasingly relies on technology, data, and innovation. From routine medical check-ups to more complicated life-saving hospital, surgical or treatment procedures, medical devices like diagnostic equipment, pumps and other internet-connected tools are routinely used. That reality means we are under constant threat from hostile actors.

Understanding this reality, Uthmeier has established the Consumer Harm from International Nefarious Actors (CHINA) Prevention Unit, a dedicated section within the Office of the Attorney General to protect Florida from unwanted and illegal CCP influence.

As part of their proactive efforts, the CHINA Prevention Unit has sent medical device manufacturers letters demanding an audit and disclosure of the company’s ties to the CCP. Chief among the company’s receiving letters is Mindray North America, United Imaging, MicroPort, Edan Instruments, Lepu Medical Tech, Shinva Medical Instruments, Neusoft Medical Systems, Longest Medical and Jiangsu Yuyue Medical.

States are the new battleground for combating malicious foreign governments that want to harm us. But Florida is prepared.

Thanks to Florida’s Attorney General and the CHINA Prevention Unit, we can be reassured that our health care data won’t be funneled to Beijing through backdoor channels.

Now that’s a box of chocolates we can all enjoy.

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Sal Nuzzo is the executive director of Consumers Defense.