On October 13, the Federal Communications Commission, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, adopted a rule that allows the agency to prohibit the sale of any equipment that includes a computer chip identified on its list of potential national‑security threats. The FCC has now invoked that authority for the first time, moving to block two products because they incorporate what it describes as a “foreign surveillance chip.”
The commission did not disclose the specific devices it is targeting, and it has not responded to a request for comment. However, it did identify the chip in question: the HiVision Hi3516CV610 UHD Smart Vision System‑on‑Chip. This component is used to convert a basic camera sensor into a functional home‑security camera, a dashcam, or similar imaging devices. The FCC’s action marks the initial enforcement of its new power to restrict hardware deemed a security risk.