Due to their “unacceptable risk” to national security, the United States has banned approval of new telecoms equipment manufactured by China’s Huawei Technologies and ZTE.
It was announced on Friday that the US Federal Communications Commission has adopted final rules that prohibit the sale or import of surveillance equipment manufactured by Dahua Technology, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, and Hytera Communications, among others.
In response to fears that Beijing may use the Chinese technology companies to spy on Americans, the US has taken steps against the companies.
This new rule is an important part of our ongoing efforts to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecoms,
said Jessica Rosenworcel, chair of the Federal Communications Commission.
Huawei has declined to comment. A request for comment was not received from ZTE, Dahua, Hytera, or the Chinese embassy in Washington.
According to Hikvision, its products do not pose a security threat to the United States.
It will do nothing for US national security to be protected by this FCC decision, but will make protecting themselves, their homes, businesses, and property more harmful and more expensive for small businesses, local authorities, school districts, and individual consumers.
said Hikvision.
American customers will continue to be served “in full compliance” with US regulations, according to the company.
The proposed measure was circulated to the other three FCC commissioners last month for final approval, which effectively bars the firms from selling new equipment in the U.S.
In June last year, the FCC announced that it was considering banning all equipment authorisations for the companies on the so-called “covered list”: Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua.
According to a 2019 law aimed at protecting US communications networks, the five Chinese companies were designated as posing a threat to national security in March 2021.
Friday’s decision was supported by all four FCC commissioners – two Republicans and two Democrats. Despite having the authority to revoke prior authorizations, the agency declined to do so.