The US Federal Communications Commission (the FCC, for its English acronym) on Friday banned Chinese brand devices Huawei Technologies Corporation s ZTE Corporation. This measure is a continuation of efforts to Limit the reach and influence of these companies in state networks that Washington has been committed to for years.
The order issued Friday by the FCC also covers two camera providers, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. and Dahua Technology Co., Ltd. , as well as Hytera Communications Corp.
In a statement issued by the authority, the head of the entity said, Jessica Rosenworcel“The FCC is committed,” he said Protect our national security guarantee use Unreliable communication equipment within our borders and we will continue this work.”
“Estas nuevas reglas son una important parte de nuestras acciones en curso para proteger al pueblo estadounidense de las amenazas a la seguridad nacional relacionadas con las telecomunicaciones”, continue poniendo enfasis in el peligro que la presencia de estas compañías chinas representa, segun la inteligencia de United State.
The vote was unanimous and it easily got the go-ahead. Although it applies directly to future equipment purchase authorizations, those already issued can also be revoked.
Republican commissioner of the commission, Brendan Carrthat “as a result of our request, no new equipment from Huawei or ZTE can be approved. No new equipment from Dahua, Hikvision, or Hytera can be approved unless they assure the FCC that their equipment will not be used for public safety, government facility security, and other purposes.” Other national security.
This measure meant another step in this battle in Washington, which intensified during the presidency Donald Trump – Between 2017 and 2021 – and the term of the current president remains. Joe Biden. Steps have already been taken in the past to limit access to information through export controls and bans on key hardware and software.
Also, this past June, Biden updated a list of Chinese companies whose scale was beyond the reach of local investors.
Meanwhile, a group of US officials suggested restricting the platform Tik Tokis very popular among young people, but with great suspicion that it is the Chinese authorities’ gateway to the data of millions of users.
In turn, in 2018, Congress had already approved a provision by which it would prevent federal agencies from purchasing equipment from the five companies indicated by the FCC, and, on the other hand, determine that the companies are ineligible to receive federal subsidies. or doing business in the country.
This Thursday, the British government advanced a similar measure, by which Use is prohibited Security cameras from Beijing in state ministries and departments.
The measure reaches these areas considered “sensitive” since Chinese law, according to British officials, requires Hikvision and Dahua to share all collected data with system authorities.
In the past, these devices have already been the subject of controversy causing – among others – the Minister of Health to resign after a video was released from inside his office that cameras caught of her kissing an aide.
(With information from Bloomberg and the AP)
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