FCC blocks gadgets using Huawei-linked HiVision surveillance chips
The US Federal Communications Commission has exercised its new authority to block consumer electronics containing chips from companies deemed national security threats. The agency targeted devices using the HiVision Hi3516CV610 SoC, a subsidiary of Huawei. This move closes a loophole allowing banned components to enter gadgets indirectly. The FCC argues the chip’s built-in face detection algorithms pose surveillance risks, impacting global supply chains for security cameras and dashcams.
Key points
- The US Federal Communications Commission, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, used its new October 13 power to block gadgets containing chips from companies on its national security threat list.
- The specific component targeted is the HiVision Hi3516CV610 UHD Smart Vision SoC, which converts camera sensors into security cameras and dashcams, often sold with Sony sensors and lenses.
- HiVision is a subsidiary of Huawei, a company previously designated a national security risk by the US government, and the chip features built-in algorithms for human face detection.
- The FCC’s action addresses a regulatory loophole that previously allowed manufacturers to incorporate components from banned companies into their own devices without direct FCC scrutiny.
- The move signals a broader US strategy to decouple consumer electronics from Chinese tech components, potentially affecting global manufacturers relying on HiVision’s integrated camera modules.
The Federal Communications Commission has begun enforcing a new regulatory power by blocking consumer gadgets that incorporate specific "foreign surveillance chips." This action marks the first use of authority granted to the agency on October 13, allowing it to reject devices containing components from companies designated as national security threats. The initial targets are devices utilizing the HiVision Hi3516CV610 UHD Smart Vision SoC, a processor that enables raw camera sensors to function as home security systems or dashcams.
HiVision is a subsidiary of Huawei, a telecommunications giant that has long been viewed with suspicion by US policymakers. The FCC identified the chip as a potential surveillance risk due to its integrated detection algorithms for human faces, which the agency argues could facilitate data transmission to Chinese servers. The component is frequently sold as a complete package, including Sony camera sensors and lenses, making it a popular choice for manufacturers of affordable security hardware.
This regulatory shift closes a significant loophole in US trade policy. Previously, if a company like Huawei was banned, its direct products were blocked, but other manufacturers could still use Huawei’s components inside their own branded devices. The new rule allows the FCC to look past the final product brand and inspect the internal components. While the FCC has not yet published a full list of the specific gadgets blocked, the move is expected to ripple through the global supply chain, forcing manufacturers to audit their hardware for Chinese-made processors.
Sources
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