Huawei Technologies, the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and four other state-linked Chinese tech firms have been designated threats to U.S. national security by the Biden administration.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) identified the Chinese companies as Huawei, ZTE Corporation, Hytera, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Zhejiang Dahua Technology.
The FCC said these firms are threats to U.S. national security based on the requirements in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019.
"This list provides meaningful guidance that will ensure that as next-generation networks are built across the country, they do not repeat the mistakes of the past or use equipment or services that will pose a threat to U.S. national security or the security and safety of Americans," said acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
This is the second time the FCC has declared both Huawei and ZTE threats to national security. In June 2020, the FCC designated Huawei and ZTE national security threats but to U.S. communications networks.
This declaration barred U.S. firms from availing of the $8.3 billion Universal Service Fund to purchase equipment from the companies for their networks.
"With today's orders, and based on the overwhelming weight of evidence, the bureau has designated Huawei and ZTE as national security risks to America's communications networks -- and to our 5G future," said former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.
"Both companies have close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and China's military apparatus, and both companies are broadly subject to Chinese law obligating them to cooperate with the country's intelligence services."
In August 2020, the Trump administration issued regulations barring federal agencies from buying goods or services from any of the five Chinese companies.
Hytera manufactures radio transceivers and radio systems. Based in Shenzhen, Guangdong, Hytera is the world's second largest global radio terminal manufacturer.
State-owned Hikvision manufactures and supplies video surveillance equipment for civilian and military purposes.
Dahua sells video surveillance products and services and has played a role in the mass surveillance of Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang. In October 2019, the U.S. government included Dahua in the Bureau of Industry and Security's Entity List for its role in the surveillance of Uighurs. In 2019, the U.S. placed Huawei, Hikvision and other firms on its economic blacklist.
The Secure Networks Act requires the FCC to publish and maintain a list of communications equipment and services that pose an unacceptable risk to national security or the security and safety of U.S. persons. The FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau will update the list if other communications equipment and services are determined to meet the criteria under the law.
It used criteria from the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act that previously identified the five Chinese companies as security threats.
