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

On October 13th, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gained a new authority: the ability to block gadgets containing any computer chip deemed a potential threat to national security. This marked the first time the FCC employed this power, targeting two devices due to their inclusion of "foreign surveillance chips," according to the agency.

While the FCC does not specify the exact gadgets it blocked, it does identify the specific "surveillance chip" involved: the HiVision Hi3516CV610 UHD Smart Vision SoC. This chip transforms raw camera sensors into home security cameras, dashcams, or similar devices. It is often sold as part of a package with a Sony camera sensor and sometimes even includes a lens, according to listings seen on AliExpress.

The FCC labels this chip as a foreign surveillance chip because HiVision markets it as suitable for the surveillance market with built-in algorithms to detect human faces. Additionally, the chip's origin is significant: HiVision is a subsidiary of Huawei, a telecom company previously deemed a national security risk by the US government.

The FCC's new authority addresses a loophole that allowed banned companies to hide their products within the chips of other manufacturers' gadgets. This move follows similar actions by the FCC, such as retroactively banning gadgets and blocking modular radio transmitters. However, it remains uncertain whether the FCC is genuinely prioritizing safety or merely attempting to regulate the market, while maintaining a façade of enforcement. Attempts to contact the FCC for further details have been unsuccessful.