Lenovo PC's Pulled Out of State Department- Espionage Claims Condi.

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/19/us_govt_pulls_lenovo_pcs/

Lenovo order being ripped out of State Department offices among fears of Communist espionage!

Actually, I believe it. There's many a way to backdoor a compy. If Microsoft knows everything about us, surely Big Red can also.

 

Is there actually any solid evidence to support these claims, or is it just pure paranoid delusion?

 

This is old new from 19 May 2006? Why post this now?

 

I think it has more to do with "supporting america's brands" etc etc and anti-chinese sentiment (stealing our jobs, outsourcing, flooding of manufactured goods, etc). And if we ever go to war with China, that would mean no more new notebooks for the state department. So they probably don't want to take that risk. The espionage reason is crap, but it's mainly so they can save face and keep up there "we support free market" image.

 

yea this is old news. i remember reading this quite a while back.

 

LOL this can't be true

 

This is very old news and pure stupidity.

Before IBM sold PCD to Lenovo, the computers were made in the same place. Mfr'd in China, designed in Japan. Then IBM sells to Lenovo. Oh, suddenly they're "Chinese" computers and they could be used for spying. RIGHT. Well, you better get rid of all those Dell's, 'cuz guess what - THEY ARE MADE IN CHINA TOO

 

Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean people aren't out to get you.

I'd be more concerned about the software written for the machine than the hardware itself which is pretty standardized. With thinkpads coming loaded with so much crapware mixed in with drivers and apps it legitimately needs I can see why this would be a concern. It'd be pretty easy to slip in some back doors (anyone heard of tracking and phishing malware.)

I'd say China's track record for underhanded dealings is being called into question and I'm personally pleased that the state department has taken a wise step in protecting our nation.

 

not sure it has as much to do with communist plots to overthrown the free world as the basic policy of governments around the world to support domestic companies.

Can you imagine the political fallout if the a government department were to award a multi-billion dollar computer contract to a chinese company? Stuff like that all goes to US companies. I'm sure Lenovo factored that into its business plan.