The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has shut down Chinese laboratories testing America-bound electronics, closing a major national security gap that left 75% of U.S. electronics vulnerable to potential infiltration by the Chinese Communist Party.
This from patriotnewsdaily.com.
The FCC has taken decisive action against a long-overlooked national security vulnerability by unanimously voting to block Chinese-linked laboratories from testing and certifying electronic devices destined for American consumers. This critical decision targets labs with connections to the Chinese Communist Party, state-owned enterprises, and military entities that have been handling the majority of electronics testing for the U.S. market. The ruling marks a significant shift in protecting America’s telecommunications infrastructure from potential foreign infiltration through compromised electronic devices.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said:
These labs provide a gateway into the US telecommunications infrastructure.
The scope of this security vulnerability is staggering. Approximately 75% of all electronics requiring FCC certification are currently tested in Chinese laboratories. Every electronic device that emits radio frequencies must undergo the FCC’s equipment authorization process before being imported or sold in the United States. This has effectively given Chinese entities oversight of the testing process for thousands of devices Americans use daily, from smartphones to network equipment, creating numerous opportunities for potential security compromises.
The Justice Department and U.S. intelligence agencies have been sounding alarms about the risks posed by allowing adversarial nations to participate in the testing of electronic equipment bound for American homes and businesses. The Chinese regime has been specifically identified as the primary threat to America’s critical infrastructure, with intelligence experts warning that these testing laboratories could be exploited to facilitate unauthorized access to U.S. networks and systems. These concerns have driven the FCC’s unanimous decision to implement the new protective measures.
According to the FCC:
These labs have tested thousands of devices bound for the U.S. market over the last several years.
The new rules, formally adopted on May 22, specifically prohibit establishments deemed to pose national security risks from participating in the electronics testing and certification process. The Chinese embassy in Washington has not immediately responded to the FCC’s decision, which represents one of the most significant steps taken by the U.S. government to address technology-related security concerns with China since President Trump took office. The Chinese Communist Party has consistently denied accusations of espionage and technology theft despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
While the FCC’s decision marks significant progress in securing America’s telecommunications infrastructure, commissioners have acknowledged that gaps in regulatory authority still exist. The commission currently lacks the power to require foreign ownership disclosure from broadband providers, creating a potential loophole in the new security framework. FCC commissioners have called for extending these protective initiatives to cover firmware and operating software, areas where malicious code could potentially be inserted to compromise device security.
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said:
We face an increasing risk that adversarial nations will try to sneak insecure and harmful equipment into our networks through our authorization process.
As part of implementing the new rules, the FCC will work to identify foreign ownership of entities involved in electronics testing and maintain an updated list of foreign adversaries. This approach aligns with President Trump’s broader strategy of reducing America’s technological dependence on China and protecting critical infrastructure from foreign interference. The commission’s unanimous vote reflects growing bipartisan consensus on the need to address national security vulnerabilities in America’s technology supply chain and testing procedures, particularly those involving Chinese entities with ties to the communist regime.
