U.S. Ban on Chinese Spy Cameras Will Ultimately Backfire
Mainland companies aren’t standing still. They’re developing even more futuristic technologies that will leave American competitors scrambling.
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Photographer: FRED DUFOUR/AFP via Getty Images
U.S. regulators are toughening their stance on Chinese makers of surveillance cameras and other hardware. By turning to an old playbook, though, Washington is diverting focus from the future and diminishing America’s ability to remain a global technology leader.
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday proposed a ban on use of certain telecommunications products and other electronics made by Chinese companies, including one of the world’s largest makers of surveillance cameras, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., and Dahua Technology Co. The order, which cites alleged national security risks, also seeks to forbid future U.S. sales and could revoke prior authorizations for the equipment. Hikvision said it “strongly opposes” the FCC's measure while Dahua called it “unwarranted.”