Concerning national security, the United States has prohibited the sale and import of new communications equipment from five Chinese companies, including Huawei and ZTE.
Hikvision, Dahua, and Hytera are also included as manufacturers of video surveillance equipment and two-way radio systems.
It is the first time that US regulators have taken such a security-related action.
According to Hikvision, its products pose no security risk to the United States.
It stated that the decision “would do nothing to protect US national security, but will significantly injure and increase the cost for US small enterprises, local governments, school districts, and individual consumers to safeguard themselves, their homes, businesses, and property.
Huawei and others earlier denied providing the Chinese government with data.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Friday that its members voted unanimously to accept the new regulations.
“The FCC is dedicated to preserving our national security by preventing the use of unreliable communications equipment within our borders,” said Jessica Rosenworcel, chairwoman of the commission.
“These new restrictions are an integral element of our ongoing efforts to protect the American people from telecommunications-related risks to national security,” she added.
Because the restriction is not retroactive, the listed companies may continue to sell previously approved items in the United States.
However, the FCC has stated that it is soliciting feedback on potential adjustments to the rules governing the importation and sale of already-authorized equipment, implying that future revocations of existing authorizations are possible.
The limitations in the United States are the most current to be imposed on Chinese technology companies in response to espionage fears, about which US officials have become increasingly apprehensive in recent years.
Under the presidency of Barack Obama, measures to restrict Chinese telecom corporations’ access to the U.S. market took root. They were subsequently increased under the administration of Donald Trump and have continued through the present administration of Joe Biden.
