IIRC, that article is a fine combination of bullshit and technically correct. There is a "written ban" purchasing equipment from anyone not on the approved vendor list. Lenovo didn't ask to be on the list, they're not on the list, therefore they're banned. As am I. As are you.

Right, I remember this and when the Huwai stuff came out. The typical anti-western loudmouths said it was protectionism. Now the very same loudmouths are back-peddling and assuring us that this was a simple oversight and there's no way any of this could ever be tied to the CCP. Its incredible how anything that happens in the US is a NSA plot but a fucking MITM shipped on millions of chinese laptops? Oh just a mistake from a junior dev, nothing to see here guys.

I sometimes wonder if autocratic regimes are so image focused that they've seeded popular forums with stooges.

I thought that had to do with the fact that they're a chinese owned company and if say the CIA makes a large order (or any order really) the chinese government might step in and force malware to be installed.

I can't see why it would matter, since literally every laptop is made in China already. Plus the vast majority of computer components.

Maybe it's too much of a risk if exposed for the manufacturing industry had they added a backdoor to a foreign customer's component without their knowledge?

As opposed to Lenovo agreeing to implement a backdoor? I'm not sure either.

Another black eye if they knew about Superfish and didn't alert their citizens.

It is from 2013 though.