US FCC bans sales, import of Chinese tech from Huawei, ZTE

WASHINGTON — The U.S. is banning the sale of communications equipment made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE and restricting the use of some China-made video surveillance systems, citing an “unacceptable risk” to national security. The five-member Federal Communications Commission announced Friday that it voted unanimously for new rules to block certain technology products from being imported or sold to the United States. This is the latest in a long line of U.S. restrictions on Chinese technology. It was initiated by President Donald Trump and continued under President Joe Biden.

” The FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (a Democrat) stated that the FCC is committed “to protecting our national security by ensuring untrustworthy communications equipment are not authorized for use within these borders, and that we are continuing that work here.”

Huawei declined comment Friday. Along with ZTE and Huawei, the order also affects products made in China by Hikvision, Dahua and other companies that make widely-used video surveillance cameras.

The FCC’s order will apply to equipment authorizations in the future, but the agency does not rule out the possibility of revoking prior authorizations.

” Our unanimous decision is the first time that the FCC has voted to ban the authorization of equipment based on national safety concerns,” tweeted Brendan Carr (a Republican FCC commissioner).

Carr stated that new Huawei and ZTE equipment cannot be approved as a result of the order. 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 U.S. 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.”