FCC Bars Two Video Devices With HiSilicon Chips Under New Rule

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) barred two video devices from U.S. sales after finding they contained a HiSilicon chip, marking its first enforcement action under rules covering certain components.

The devices were a dashboard camera and a wireless video transmitter. HiSilicon is a Huawei subsidiary. The FCC did not identify the manufacturers, models or chip part number.

The rules took effect Oct. 13 and apply to new equipment authorization applications. Under the rules, the FCC may deny a new authorization when a listed entity made a logic-bearing part inside a product that would have been ineligible for authorization if that entity had built the complete product. Previously authorized equipment is not affected.

HiSilicon markets the chip for surveillance and describes it as having face-detection algorithms. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the chips “pose an obvious and unacceptable risk to the nation and our people.”