Trump administration bans Chinese routers phones and cameras can be tracked

The Federal Communications Commission continued its campaign against Chinese technology on Friday. version New proposal It would expand the ban on companies to include previously authorized products.

In 2021, companies such as Huawei, Hikvision, Dahua, Hytera, and ZTE were added to the list. FCC Covered List.a register of companies and products that the FCC believes pose a risk to the national security of the United States, under Secure Networks Law. Produced by Chinese companies Mobile phones, Security cameras And other technical products.

But the 2021 ban only applied to new models that the FCC had not authorized, and companies were free to continue selling models that had already received the FCC’s stamp of approval. If approved, the new proposal would ban these companies entirely, including previously approved products.

“Older models of covered equipment pose an unacceptable risk today when imported or marketed in the United States, and not just when such equipment is new to the market.” FCC report from October He said.

The proposal will be open for comment until May 6, after which the commission will vote on whether to adopt the rules. The ban will not affect devices already owned by Americans.

Read more: My expert advice: Don’t buy a router until we know more about the FCC ban.

Millions of consumers and businesses rely on Wi-Fi routers, communications equipment, and security cameras every day, making these devices important links in both home and office networks. The FCC effectively shocked the broadband industry on March 23 Ban the sale of foreign-made Wi-Fi routers in the future (Including some Top brands of routers).

In recent years, Chinese telecom companies I faced restrictions To work in the United States. In 2020, The Wall Street Journal Quoting American officials who reportedly said Chinese companies, including Huawei, used backdoor access reserved for law enforcement to track sensitive information.

But this ban can be implemented quickly. The FCC suggests that “all parties must cease all import and marketing activities within 30 days of the effective date of the ban.”

This proposal does not reflect a final legal ruling on telecom imports, but it does reflect how the Trump administration has been putting increasing pressure on Chinese technology companies in recent months.

The ban on foreign-made routers was just the latest in a series of decisions that have imposed restrictions on Chinese technology companies operating in the United States.

In December, the FCC banned it Importing Chinese-made drones To the United States. Just months before that, the agency They voted to block new approvals For any device that contains parts manufactured by companies on the covered list.

Representatives for the FCC and Huawei did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.