Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the establishment of the Consumer Harm from International Nefarious Actors (CHINA) Prevention Unit to fight ongoing threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) imposed on Floridians' data privacy and economic security during a press conference this week.
The announcement follows Florida's ongoing lead in cracking down on the CCP's influence in the state, including over its illicit vape market.
“Florida will not allow foreign adversaries to exploit our markets, steal our data, and threaten our security,” Uthmeier said. “The focus of this new office will be prevention, which is why we are sending letters to multiple medical device manufacturers to audit and identify any ties with the Chinese Communist Party. If a company is funneling Floridians’ personal information to China or other foreign countries of concern, we will hold them accountable.”
Uthmeier has gone after several companies for alleged ties to the CCP, including Lorex and Contec, and TP-Link, as well as a medical device company for audits and disclosures for their alleged connection.
Some specifics are included below:
- Lorex: manufactures internet-connected security systems, including baby monitors. The attorney general issued a subpoena against the company for alleged unlawful data practices.
- Contec: a medical device manufacturer that allegedly routed sensitive patient monitoring data through Chinese servers. A subpoena was also issued.
- TP-Link: Sells Wi-Fi routers, investigated over concerns for cybersecurity vulnerabilities and alleged data sharing. Subpoena issued.
The attorney general has also targeted the CCP for alleged financial and cyber fraud.
In perhaps its most wide-ranging probe, as reported extensively by The Floridian, Uthmeier and federal officials have targeted a crackdown on Chinese-made illicit cigarettes, which have infiltrated the vape market in the Sunshine State.
Uthmeier specifically pointed to the state's work against Central Florida smoke shops for nefarious practices targeting consumers with illicit vapes in a CHINA Prevention Unit outline shared on social media.
Former ATF [Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] spokesperson Rich Marianos told The Floridian that smoke shops have become increasingly popular for illicit vape products across the state, particularly among young adults.
"The CHINA Prevention Unit ensures that Florida remains a national leader in standing up for consumers against powerful, global actors," the outline reads.
Uthmeier has already begun sending letters to medical technology companies demanding an audit and transparency about company connections to the CCP, inparticularly Mindray North America.
The Floridian has also reported on other alleged Chinese vape manufacturers across the country, including in Dallas, Savannah, and Buffalo.
