Due to an “unacceptable risk” to national security, the US has banned the sale of communications equipment made by the Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE and restricted the use of some Chinese video surveillance systems. The US imposes import and sales restrictions on Chinese technology made by ZTE and Huawei.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a five-member body, announced on Friday that it had unanimously voted to adopt new regulations that will prohibit the importation or sale of specific technological products that pose security risks to critical US infrastructure.
It is the most recent step in a years-long escalation of US restrictions on Chinese technology that started with former president Donald Trump and has continued under President Joe Biden’s administration.
“The FCC is committed to protecting our national security by ensuring that untrustworthy communications equipment is not authorised for use within our borders, and we are continuing that work here,” said FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, in a prepared statement.
Huawei declined to comment on Friday. The order also has an impact on items produced by Hikvision and Dahua, two manufacturers of popular video surveillance cameras, in addition to Huawei and ZTE.
Although the FCC leaves open the possibility of revoking earlier authorizations, the order only applies to equipment that is authorised in the future.
“Our unanimous decision represents the first time in FCC history that we have voted to prohibit the authorization of new equipment based on national security concerns,” tweeted Brendan Carr, a Republican FCC commissioner.
Mr Carr added that as “a result of our order, no new Huawei or ZTE equipment can be approved. And no new Dahua, Hikvision, or Hytera gear can be approved unless they assure the FCC that their gear won’t be used for public safety, security of government facilities, & other national security purposes”.
Hikvision said in a statement that its video products “present no security threat” to the US but the FCC’s decision “will do a great deal to make it more harmful and more expensive for US small businesses, local authorities, school districts, and individual consumers to protect themselves, their homes, businesses and property”.