Lithuania’s public IT procurement ban covers drones from China

In a move that will have only minor effects on its own – but which could have larger consequences were it to be replicated around Europe, especially in terms of drone use – the Baltic nation of Lithuania has responded to increasing international instability by banning the purchase of tech from countries deemed untrustworthy, including China, for defense or public service operation.

Amendments made to a law passed last March tightening public procurement rules now prohibit Lithuanian public administrations and defense agencies from obtaining IT and communications tech from untrusted nations, notably Russia, Belarus, and China. Coming amid the continuing war against its ally, Ukraine, the move aims to sideline all equipment that pose data theft or other potential security risks, particularly from Russia and its Belarus backer. 

By adding China to that list, however, it seems evident leaders in Vilnius are following the lead of their peers in the US by…