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EQUIPThe Verge · 18h ago

The FCC is beginning to block gadgets with ‘foreign surveillance chips’

Executive Brief

The 30-second read

The FCC has initiated enforcement of new powers to block hardware containing components from blacklisted national security threats. Executive travel teams must audit corporate devices to ensure compliance and prevent operational disruptions caused by hardware seizures or bans.

  • 01FCC now authorizes the blocking of gadgets containing chips from prohibited foreign manufacturers
  • 02Two devices were officially banned in the first exercise of these expanded regulatory powers
  • 03Current enforcement targets hardware identified by the agency as containing foreign surveillance chips
  • 04New regulations close existing loopholes for companies previously listed as national security threats

AI-generated summary · Verify at source

On October 13th, Brendan Carr's FCC gave itself a new power - it can block gadgets for containing any computer chip made by any company on its list of potential threats to national security. Today, it's exercising that power for the first time, blocking two gadgets because they contain "foreign surveillance chips," the FCC claims. […]