FCC Beginning to Block Gadgets Over Chips It Calls Foreign Surveillance Threats

FCC uses new blocking authority

On October 13th, Brendan Carr’s FCC granted itself authority to block gadgets that contain computer chips made by companies on its list of potential national security threats. The agency is now using that power for the first time, blocking two gadgets it says contain “foreign surveillance chips.” The FCC has not disclosed which gadgets it blocked and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It did identify the chip at issue as a HiVision Hi3516CV610 UHD Smart Vision SoC.

Chip designed for camera devices

The chip converts a raw camera sensor into devices such as home security cameras and dashcams. Listings viewed on AliExpress often offer it alongside a Sony camera sensor, and sometimes with a lens already attached.

The FCC says HiVision markets the chip for surveillance and highlights its built-in human-face detection algorithms. HiVision is a subsidiary of Huawei, which is on the FCC’s Covered List.

Closing a product loophole

The FCC’s new authority is intended to prevent companies from incorporating products made by restricted firms into gadgets sold under another company’s name. The agency has also granted itself power to retroactively ban gadgets and to block modular radio transmitters.

The article compares the action with the router and Roomba bans, while questioning whether the FCC is improving public safety or choosing commercial winners and losers. It says the agency has repeatedly been asked to discuss its enforcement efforts but has not engaged.