The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has enacted a ban on two devices equipped with surveillance chips produced by HiSilicon, a subsidiary of the Chinese tech giant Huawei. This decision marks the first application of the FCC’s stringent new regulations aimed at preventing the entry of technology deemed a threat to national security into the U.S. market.
The devices in question—a wireless video transmitter and a dashboard camera—are specifically designed for surveillance purposes, featuring built-in algorithms for human face detection, according to the FCC. The ban follows the implementation of new rules on October 13, which prohibit devices containing components from companies listed on the FCC’s “covered list.” This list, established under a 2019 regulation, identifies technology products that pose potential risks to national security, with HiSilicon included among those entities.
Prior to these regulations, the FCC did not restrict lawful devices from incorporating parts manufactured by companies on the covered list. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr emphasized the agency’s commitment to safeguarding national security, stating, “Video devices containing surveillance chips produced by Covered List entities pose an obvious and unacceptable risk to the nation and our people.”
As of now, Huawei has not provided a comment regarding the FCC’s decision. The implications of this ban could extend beyond the immediate devices, potentially influencing future regulations and the broader landscape of technology imports from companies associated with national security concerns.
For further details, refer to the FCC’s official announcement on the matter, which outlines the rationale behind the ban and the agency’s ongoing efforts to mitigate risks associated with foreign surveillance technology.
According to the FCC, the agency will continue to monitor and restrict technologies that may compromise U.S. security interests.
