‘Untrustworthy’: US bans Chinese technology from Huawei, others

Washington: The United States 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 said on Saturday AEDT it had voted unanimously to adopt new rules that will block the importation or sale of certain technology products that pose security risks to US critical infrastructure.

It’s the latest in a years-long escalation of American restrictions of Chinese technology that began with then-president Donald Trump’s administration and has continued under President Joe Biden amid fears that Beijing could use its tech companies to spy on Americans.

Visitors walk past a Huawei store at the Wushang Dream Plaza mall, the world’s largest single shopping mall, in Wuhan.Credit: Getty Images

“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 Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, in a prepared statement.

Along with Huawei and ZTE, the order affects products made by companies such as Hikvision and Dahua, makers of widely used video surveillance cameras.

“These new rules are an important part of our ongoing actions to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecommunications,” Rosenworcel said.

The US has increased its restrictions on Chinese-made technology products.Credit: AP

Huawei declined to comment. ZTE, Dahua, and Hytera did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Hikvision said in a statement that its products didn’t threaten US security.

“This decision by the FCC will do nothing to protect US national security, but 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,” Hikvision said, adding that it would continue to serve US customers “in full compliance” with US regulations.

A number of countries have banned or restricted imports of Huawei and other Chinese products, beginning with Australia’s NBN ban, and including similar measures in the UK and Canada.

The FCC’s order applies to future authorisations of equipment, though the agency leaves open the possibility it could revoke previous authorisations.

“Our unanimous decision represents the first time in FCC history that we have voted to prohibit the authorisation of new equipment based on national security concerns,” tweeted Brendan Carr, a Republican FCC commissioner.

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.”

AP