The FCC has formally designated Huawei and ZTE as national security threats, meaning telecoms can no longer use the FCC’s Universal Service Fund to purchase equipment or services from them, under a rule put into place in November. The USF provides over $8.5 billion a year in subsidies to help telecoms improve broadband to rural Americans that currently lack access. “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,” stated FCC chair Ajit Pai. The agency also cited actions by Congress, the executive branch, the intelligence community, U.S. allies, and telecoms in other countries to support this designation.
Cybersecurity, Privacy, & AI
Trending Now
Doxim Data Breach Settlement Underscores Third-Party Data Security Risk • SASC Proposes Reorganization of Pentagon’s IT, Cyber Leadership • Anthropic Suspends Top AI Models After U.S. Export Control Order • Senate Bill Seeks to Restore Funding for Cyber Information-Sharing Program • CISA Directive Orders Agencies to Prioritize Vulnerability Patching in a New Way
FCC Officially Designates Huawei, ZTE as National Security Threats
Zay Nyi Nyi | Shutterstock
Stay compliant and protected with daily updates on cybersecurity, data privacy, and federal oversight with our Cyber & Privacy newsletter, delivering up-to-the-minute intelligence Monday–Saturday — Subscribe here.