FCC Crackdown on Chinese Electronics Listings

WASHINGTON – The chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Friday that numerous popular online retail sites in the U.S. have taken down millions of listings for banned Chinese electronics as part of the agency’s recent crackdown.

In an interview, FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated that the removed products were either included on a U.S. list of restricted items or lacked proper authorization from the agency. These include various devices like home security cameras and smartwatches from companies such as Huawei, Hangzhou Hikvision, ZTE, and Dahua Technology Company.

Carr mentioned that companies are now implementing new procedures to avoid future listings of non-approved items due to the enhanced oversight from the FCC. “We’re going to keep our efforts up,” he added, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance.

The FCC has issued a new notice regarding national security, reminding businesses about the prohibited items such as surveillance equipment. Carr expressed concerns that these devices could enable China to surveil Americans, interfere with communications networks, and pose a broader threat to U.S. national security.

In recent years, U.S. agencies have taken numerous actions against Chinese tech firms across several sectors including telecommunications and semiconductors due to these security worries. This recent move is part of a larger push to keep unauthorized Chinese electronics out of the U.S. market.

Earlier this week, the FCC announced plans to vote later this month to tighten restrictions on equipment from Chinese companies that are viewed as national security risks. This is part of a broader effort against Beijing.

The FCC had already designated companies including Huawei, ZTE, China Mobile, and China Telecom on what is termed the “Covered List,” which prevents the FCC from approving new equipment imports or sales from those companies.

On October 28, the agency is set to vote on measures to deny authorization for devices with parts found on the Covered List and will also consider banning the sale of previously authorized equipment in certain circumstances.

In March, the FCC revealed that it was investigating nine Chinese companies, including those already listed, due to concerns about national security.

The Chinese embassy in Washington has not provided any immediate comments regarding these developments.

Previously, the FCC had banned certain Chinese companies from delivering telecommunications services within the U.S. over similar national security apprehensions. Just last month, it began processes to withdraw recognition from seven testing labs owned by the Chinese government due to these ongoing concerns.