FCC cracks down on Chinese electronics as US retailers remove millions of devices over national security concerns

The Federal Communications Commission has announced that major US online retailers have removed millions of listings for Chinese electronics that are either barred or unauthorized, marking the latest effort by the agency to curb potential national security threats from Chinese technology. Items affected include smart watches and home security cameras from companies such as Huawei, ZTE, Hikvision, and Dahua, which the FCC says could be used to surveil Americans or disrupt communications networks.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated that, under FCC oversight, companies are implementing new procedures to ensure prohibited items are not sold in the future.

"We're going to keep our efforts up," Carr said.


The FCC released a new national security advisory reminding companies of banned items, including video surveillance equipment. Carr warned that such devices could enable China to surveil Americans, disrupt communications networks, and pose other threats to US national security.

In recent years, US agencies have taken multiple actions against Chinese tech companies across sectors such as telecommunications, semiconductors, and automotive, citing national security concerns. The current effort represents the latest push to block unapproved Chinese electronics from entering the US market.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.