Florida’s attorney general is further focusing his office’s efforts to safeguard Floridians’ data.
James Uthmeier announced Thursday his office is using existing staff to create a “Consumer Harm from International Nefarious Actors Prevention Unit,” also known as CHINA.
“We’ve had so much work as we’ve been investigating companies that we believe are sharing personal data and information with China, with the CCP and even with the Chinese military. This work has reached a level where we realize we need to have people dedicated to it full time,” Uthmeier said during a news conference in Palm Beach.
Uthmeier referenced previous actions his office has taken, including looking into home camera company Lorex’s alleged ties to the Chinese government.
Attorney general looking into home camera company’s link to Chinese government
He also referenced the state’s subpoena to Contec, which he alleged sends patient data to China; alleged cybersecurity risks posed by smart-home company TP-Link Systems; and the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit’s upholding of the state’s Chinese land-buying ban.
“Florida will not be a playground for our enemies to come in and do us harm,” Uthmeier said.
Uthmeier was joined by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell, human rights lawyer Kelley Currie, and State Shield Founder Joe Gebbia Sr. His company describes itself as “a national organization that equips state leaders to defend against hostile foreign influence.”
“I always start these conversations off by making a declarative statement, and here is it: ‘China is at war with the United States,’ And if you don’t accept that premise, then you’re missing the whole point,” Gebbia said.
Gebbia went on to say that Chinese companies could use data to create viruses to disrupt women’s menstrual periods and ability to get pregnant.
“When you talk about medical devices, for example, well why would they want our medical devices? So, this may sound a little wild, but they have the ability to create viruses based upon certain DNA. They’re working on that, we know they’re working on that. And one of the categories they’re working on is how to disrupt the biological ability for women to get pregnant. Think about that. It sounds absurd, but if you don’t think in those terms about how far off they can go, then you’re missing the point,” Gebbia said.
Uthmeier advocated for HB 905 by Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, a Republican from Fort Myers.
The 27-page bill addresses various aspects of foreign influence, including designating foreign countries of concern and terrorist organizations to limit their interaction with government.
That bill and its Senate companion SB 1178, introduced by Sen. Erin Grall, a Republican from Vero Beach, have one committee each to pass before landing in front of each respective chamber.
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