ZTE Corporation

Shenzhen, China

ZTE Corporation is a Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and systems company that designs, develops, and manufactures a range of telecom equipment and solutions. The company provides communication infrastructure, network solutions, and mobile devices to carriers and enterprises worldwide, playing a significant role in global telecommunications and 5G technology development.

CCI Score

-36.13

0.02% April 18

Latest Event

FCC Expands Investigation on DEI Practices: Impact on ZTE Corporation

FCC Chair Brendan Carr's announcement of a sweeping investigation into companies on the Covered List has extended to include ZTE Corporation. The inquiry focuses on companies that may be sidestepping US regulatory expectations related to DEI practices, raising concerns about their political behavior and economic influence in the US market.

Take Action

So what can you do? It's time to make tough choices. Where will you cast your vote?

Shop Alternatives SEE ALL: BlackBerry

Ericsson

Mitel
Use Your Voice OTHER TOOLS
Investigate
Share the Score SUPPORT CCI

TOADIE

ZTE Corporation is currently rated as a Toadie.

-30 to -44 CCI Score

Companies scoring in this range actively seek to please authoritarian regimes. They offer proactive support and assistance in exchange for preferential treatment, compromising ethical standards for business gains and political favor.

Latest Events

MAR

21

2025

FCC Expands Investigation on DEI Practices: Impact on ZTE Corporation
-30.00

FCC Chair Brendan Carr's announcement of a sweeping investigation into companies on the Covered List has extended to include ZTE Corporation. The inquiry focuses on companies that may be sidestepping US regulatory expectations related to DEI practices, raising concerns about their political behavior and economic influence in the US market.
JUN

02

2022

Allegations of Sale of Repressive Surveillance Technology
-56.23

On 2 June 2022, allegations emerged that ZTE was selling surveillance technology in Latin America without transparency, potentially aiding repressive practices and undermining democratic institutions. The company did not respond to requests for comment, raising concerns about its accountability in the provision of technologies used for state surveillance.
-75

Provision of Repressive Technologies

March 22

ZTE is accused of selling surveillance technology in Latin America that could be utilized by authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent, monitor citizen activities, and undermine basic human rights. The company’s failure to respond to these serious allegations further raises concerns about its ethical responsibility and the potential facilitation of repressive state mechanisms.

ZTE did not respond to allegations about sale of surveillance technology in Latin America & questions from CSO on human rights
NOV

14

2018

ZTE Aids Venezuelan Government in Developing Social Control Mechanism
-42.05

An article from Business & Human Rights Resource Centre details how ZTE Corporation is providing technology to help the Venezuelan government create a 'homeland licence' system. This system, linked to the distribution of essential services and subsidies, uses smart cards to monitor citizens' social, political, and economic behavior, effectively facilitating state surveillance and repression.
-80

Provision of Repressive Technologies

March 22

ZTE's involvement in Venezuela's 'homeland licence' program shows its provision of repressive technology that enables government surveillance. By supplying smart cards that transmit personal data and facilitate the monitoring of citizens, ZTE contributes to an authoritarian control mechanism. This undermines civil liberties and supports a regime known for human rights abuses, warranting a significantly negative score.

Venezuela: ZTE reportedly helps Venzuelan govt. develop a social control mechanism
JUN

07

2018

ZTE Hires Former Trump Aide to Lobby U.S. Government
-37.74

Sanctioned Chinese telecommunications company ZTE has hired former Trump campaign aide Bryan Lanza to lobby the U.S. government, a move that appears designed to influence policy decisions in favor of the company despite existing sanctions and raises concerns about corporate accommodation of authoritarian practices.
-80

Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts

March 22

ZTE’s decision to hire former Trump campaign aide Bryan Lanza to undertake lobbying on its behalf underscores a deliberate move to leverage deep political connections and influence U.S. policy. This activity not only signals an attempt to circumvent established sanctions but also aligns with practices that favor authoritarian interests by prioritizing corporate benefits over democratic accountability.

China’s ZTE Hires Former Trump Aide to Lobby U.S. Government
-70

Executive Political Engagement

March 22

The recruitment of a politically connected former Trump operative by ZTE demonstrates a strategic use of executive channels to gain favorable treatment from a government known for its susceptibility to influence. This move contributes to a broader pattern of corporate behavior that undermines democratic norms by exploiting political networks for private gain.

China’s ZTE Hires Former Trump Aide to Lobby U.S. Government
APR

15

2018

ZTE Corporation Sanctioned for Violating Export Control Regulations
-32.00

On April 15, 2018, ZTE Corporation was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security for breaching export control regulations. The company was found to have made repeated false statements and engaged in prohibited transactions involving U.S.-origin items, resulting in a seven-year denial of export privileges.
-60

Public and Political Behavior

March 22

ZTE's repeated false statements and violations, including failure to reprimand employees involved in unlawful transactions, undermine public trust and transparency in corporate political behavior. These actions reflect a disregard for regulatory oversight that is critical to preventing authoritarian influences.

ZTE Corporation Sanctioned Again—Prohibitions on Transactions Involving U.S.-Origin Items Effective Immediately
-70

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 22

ZTE's deliberate non-compliance with Export Administration Regulations, including the use of false statements during settlement negotiations, demonstrates unethical business practices. This breach of ethical responsibility not only violates legal standards but also erodes corporate accountability.

ZTE Corporation Sanctioned Again—Prohibitions on Transactions Involving U.S.-Origin Items Effective Immediately
AUG

30

2013

ZTE Increases Lobbying to Counter Congressional Criticism
-18.73

Following a House Intelligence Committee report alleging national security risks, ZTE significantly boosted its lobbying spending from $80,000 to $330,000 in an apparent bid to mitigate political fallout and reduce scrutiny of its ties to the Chinese government.
-60

Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts

March 22

The article indicates that ZTE dramatically increased its lobbying efforts in response to a congressional intelligence report alleging that ZTE and Huawei posed a national security threat. By quadrupling its lobbying spend from $80,000 to $330,000, the company appears to be using political influence to counter negative reports and potentially subvert critical oversight. This action is worrisome as it aligns with practices that seek to influence political decision-making in ways that can undermine democratic accountability, thereby contributing to the rise of authoritarian practices.

ZTE steps up lobbying efforts in apparent response to intelligence committee report