US to Extend Import Ban to Older Chinese Tech Equipment Amid Security Concerns

New restrictions on Chinese technology will come into effect in the US next month following a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision on legacy equipment used in the country’s public safety and telecommunications infrastructure. The upcoming rules, finalised late last week, will expand the current import ban to include older equipment models from major Chinese manufacturers, including Huawei Technologies, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision and Dahua. While a ban in 2022 blocked new telecommunications and video surveillance gear from these blacklisted firms, based on national security risks, the new restrictions cover older technologies that the FCC had not previously included in the ban. According to the FCC, these legacy systems “continue to pose an unacceptable risk to national security”. While the new policy will halt the future import and marketing of these older models starting next month, the agency noted that American businesses using already-purchased equipment would not be immediately affected. “This is really just an extension of the tech and geopolitical status quo when it comes to the US relationship with China-originating technology,” said Paul Haswell, partner at law firm Hill Dickinson. Hikvision, a major supplier of video surveillance equipment, said it “strongly opposes” the FCC’s move. “This action is not based on technical evidence or findings, but is a politically motivated move that lacks statutory authority,” a Hikvision spokesperson said in an emailed statement on Monday.