FCC Bans Devices with Huawei Surveillance Chips Over Spyware Risks

• •FCC banned devices with HiSilicon chips due to spyware concerns.
• •The action is the first under new rules effective from October 13, 2026.
• •The FCC aims to prevent potential risks from foreign surveillance technology.

On October 22, 2026, the FCC took its first enforcement action under new rules allowing it to block devices containing chips from companies deemed national security threats. The agency banned a dashboard camera and a wireless video transmitter that included a HiSilicon chip, a subsidiary of Huawei. The FCC's action is based on concerns that these devices could potentially contain spyware. The new rules, effective from October 13, 2026, close a loophole that previously allowed such devices to be authorized. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr emphasized the need to protect American networks from surveillance risks. The specific gadgets blocked were not named, but they are linked to the surveillance market. This enforcement action marks a significant step in the FCC's efforts to enhance national security by regulating foreign technology.