Due to an “unacceptable risk” to national security, the United States has banned the sale of communications equipment produced by the Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE and restricted the use of some Chinese video surveillance systems.
The Federal Communications Commission, which has five members, announced Friday that it had unanimously decided to enact new regulations that will prohibit the importation or sale of specific technological devices that pose security concerns to the essential infrastructure of the United States. It’s the most recent in a series of years-long tightening of American technology restrictions that started under President Donald Trump and have continued under President Joe Biden’s administration.
According to a prepared statement by Democratic FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, “The FCC is dedicated to preserving our national security by ensuring that unreliable communications equipment is not permitted for use within our borders. We are continuing that work here.”
Friday, Huawei declined to comment. The ban also applies to ZTE and Huawei goods, as well as popular video surveillance camera manufacturers Hikvision and Dahua.
Although the FCC leaves open the possibility of revoking earlier authorizations, the order only applies to future equipment authorizations.
Republican FCC commissioner Brendan Carr tweeted, “Our unanimous decision represents the first time in FCC history that we have voted to block the authorization of new technology based on national security concerns.”
Carr added, “Our order prevents the approval of any new Huawei or ZTE equipment.” “And until Dahua, Hikvision, or Hytera can guarantee the FCC that their equipment won’t be utilized for public safety, facility security, or other national security objectives, no new Dahua, Hikvision, or Hytera equipment can be approved.”
While the FCC’s decision “will do a great deal to make it more harmful and more expensive for US small businesses, local governments, school districts, and individual consumers to protect themselves, their homes, businesses, and property,” Hikvision claimed in a statement that its video products “present no security threat” to the country.
