Two Lawmakers Criticize DLA Piper for Representing Chinese Company
Two U.S. lawmakers are citing cyber security concerns in a letter criticizing DLA Piper for its representation of a Chinese company.
U.S. Reps. Sue Myrick of North Carolina and Frank Wolf of Virginia, both Republicans, chastise DLA Piper in the letter for its representation of ZTE Corp., report Reuters, Bloomberg and PC Magazine.
The letter coincides with a House Intelligence Committee probe into whether ZTE’s products pose a threat to U.S. telecommunications networks, Reuters says. ZTE is a public company, but the lawmakers say it is controlled by China. The company has been accused of supplying an Iranian-controlled telecommunications company with surveillance equipment and embargoed U.S. technology.
According to PC Magazine, the company is also under scrutiny “for puzzling back-door security holes present in some of its consumer products sold in the U.S.”
The letter expresses disappointment that DLA is advising ZTE “as it attempts to circumvent U.S. government concerns and gain a larger share of the U.S. marketplace.”
“By publicly representing and advising the ZTE Corporation,” the letter to DLA said, “your firm is indicating it values the retainer of one contract over the legitimate cyber security and supply chain concerns of the United States government, as well as the oppression and persecution of political dissidents, human rights activists, religious groups, women, journalists, students and educators in Iran.”
DLA Piper did not comment in response to requests by Reuters, Bloomberg and PC Magazine.
