Gov. Greg Abbott directed state health agencies to address potential cybersecurity risks tied to Chinese-manufactured medical equipment.
Abbott recently released a letter instructing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services, and public university systems to review cybersecurity and procurement policies. The move aims to shield Texans’ medical data from breaches.
“Maintaining Texans’ physical security and protecting their personal privacy, especially personal medical data, is of paramount importance,” said Abbott. “I will not let Communist China spy on Texans. State-owned medical facilities must ensure there are safeguards in place to protect Texans’ private medical data and our critical medical infrastructure.”
Abbott cited his past steps against threats from the Chinese Communist Party, including adding technologies to the state’s Prohibited Technology list, signing the nation’s toughest ban on land purchases by hostile foreign adversaries, launching Texas Cyber Command as the country’s largest state cybersecurity unit, and issuing executive orders GA-47, GA-48, and GA-49, according to his office.
In recent months, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Chinese-owned manufacturers of “smart” technology over similar data privacy concerns.