FCC's New Security Rules Target A Chinese Tech Ban In Undersea Cables

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which used to routinely make headlines over net neutrality, is now preparing to ban the use of any Chinese technology or equipment in undersea telecommunications cables that connect to the United States—with a major vote expected to be made in August. It's hoped that the ban will help secure vital internet infrastructure from cyber and clandestine threats.

Today, submarine cables carry a staggering 99% of all global internet traffic. Nearly everything you stream, post, or game online moves through this under-ocean highway. Apparently, the FCC, spooked by fears of espionage, cyber-attack, and/or even clandestine tapping, has decided enough is enough. FCC Chair Brendan Carr declared the U.S. is “taking action here to guard our submarine cables against foreign adversary ownership and access, as well as cyber and physical threats,” which is really a roundabout way of saying: “No Huawei, ZTE, China ...