It is another major step towards enhancing national security since, in a major move, some of the largest online U.S. retailers have taken down millions of banned Chinese electronics listings on their sites.
This will come after the enhanced investigation into this matter by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and it coincides with the current move to reduce the possible security threat posed by some of the imported devices.
Scope of the Removal
These products that were cut are the home security cameras, smartwatch products, and various other electronic products of various companies, including Huawei, ZTE, Hangzhou Hikvision, and Dahua Technology.
These products were either blacklisted by the U.S. government or not well approved by the FCC.
The crackdown is expected to eliminate resources that may likely be utilized to spy on or disrupt communication networks in the American market.
Regulatory Interventions and Future Interventions
To address these issues, the FCC has already published a notice on national security to remind companies about the prohibited items, such as video surveillance equipment.
In highlighting the issues related to these devices, FCC Chair Brendan Carr stressed their potential to enable foreign subjects to monitor Americans, potentially destabilize the communications network, and otherwise pose a threat to the national security of the United States.
The new enforced procedures are making sure that no more prohibited items are going to be sold and pressuring the retailers to do so.
Also on the agenda of the FCC as of October 28 is the tightening of regulations where not only new devices would be banned, but also some previously approved equipment produced by companies on the FCC Covered List, which includes Huawei, ZTE, China Mobile, and China Telecom, would be banned.
The agency is also researching other companies and may ignore accreditation of test laboratories associated with the Chinese government.
Response and Compliance in Industry
Following the directives of the FCC, large online retailers have developed new procedures that have witnessed the re entry of banned goods into their systems.
Such steps include closer monitoring and tougher compliance procedures in order to make sure that only the authorized products are enlisted to sell.
Retailers are collaborating with the regulators to ensure that their operations are in tandem with the national security requirements.
Looking Ahead
With more stringent laws being enforced by the FCC, U.S. online merchants should intensify their measures toward Chinese electronics selling.
It has been recommended that consumers confirm the authorization of the electronic products prior to acquiring them to guarantee that they are in conformity with the U.S. regulation as well as to prevent possible security threats.
To explore this story in more depth, the original article would be a good place to begin, Major US online retailers pull down millions of lists of banned Chinese electronics.
