U.S. Expands Bans of Chinese Security Cameras, Network Equipment

The Federal Communications Commission voted 4-0 to ban sales of new telecom and surveillance equipment made by several Chinese companies, arguing that their ownership and practices threaten U.S. national security. The rule change affects 10 companies already subject to other restrictions and prohibits them from marketing or importing new products. The FCC made its order public Friday. The latest order stops short of requiring U.S. equipment buyers to remove items they have previously purchased or stripping authorizations for electronics models that already exist. A spokesman for Hikvision said the FCC's decision won't protect U.S. national security, "but will do a great deal to make it more harmful and more expensive for U.S. small businesses, local authorities, school districts, and individual consumers."