The United States has prohibited the sale and import of new communications equipment from five Chinese companies, including Huawei and ZTE, due to national security concerns.
Hikvision, Dahua, and Hytera are also listed as manufacturers of video surveillance equipment and two-way radio systems.
It is the first time that US regulators have taken such a step for security reasons.
Hikvision claims that its products pose no security risk to the United States.
It stated that the decision “will do nothing to protect US national security, but will significantly increase the risk and cost for US small businesses, local governments, school districts, and individual consumers to protect themselves, their homes, businesses, and property.”
Previously, Huawei and others denied providing data to the Chinese government.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Friday that its members had voted unanimously to adopt the new rules.
“The FCC is committed to protecting our national security by ensuring that untrustworthy communications equipment is not authorized for use within our borders,” said Jessica Rosenworcel, chairwoman of the commission.
“These new rules are an important part of our ongoing efforts to protect the American people from telecommunications-related national security threats,” she added.
Because the ban is not retroactive, the companies listed may continue to sell products that were previously approved for sale in the United States.
However, the FCC stated that it is seeking comment on future revisions to the rules regarding equipment already authorized to be imported or sold, implying that existing authorizations may be revoked in the future.
The restrictions imposed on Chinese technology in the United States are the most recent.
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The US restrictions are the latest imposed on Chinese tech firms in response to spying concerns, which US officials have grown increasingly concerned about in recent years.
Actions to restrict Chinese telecom firms’ access to the US market first took root during Barack Obama’s presidency. They were then accelerated during Donald Trump’s presidency and have continued under current US President Joe Biden’s rule.
Source: BBC News
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