The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States is expanding its functions by establishing a National Security Council to target Chinese cyberattacks, ensure America maintains leadership in key technology areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, quantum computing, and guard against Chinese technological infiltration.
This move signifies that the U.S. government has elevated technology issues to a national security level. Traditionally, the FCC has primarily been responsible for overseeing telecommunications infrastructure. However, with the escalating cybersecurity threats and the intensification of the U.S.-China tech war, its functions are rapidly extending into the realm of national security.
The newly established National Security Council may shift from previous bans aimed at individual Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE towards broader industry strategies.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that the formation of this council is to further focus on countering “ongoing threats from foreign adversaries, especially the Chinese Communist Party.”
“These bad actors are continuously seeking ways to invade our networks, devices, and technology ecosystem. The FCC must be more vigilant than ever to safeguard American citizens and businesses from threats,” Carr said.
He added that because these threats span multiple areas regulated by the FCC, the national security work of the FCC should mobilize resources from all departments of the commission to address the challenges.
Carr mentioned that this newly established National Security Council will have a range of goals, including reducing America’s vulnerabilities in terms of cyberattacks, espionage activities, and hostile foreign surveillance, as well as decreasing U.S. supply chain reliance on “adversarial nations.”
He further noted that the council will strive to ensure America “prevails in critical technological strategic competition with China,” including in areas such as 5G, 6G, AI, satellites and space, quantum computing, and autonomous systems.
The council will be led by Adam Chan, an attorney who previously served on the Select Committee on the CCP in the House of Representatives.
Despite the FCC traditionally focusing on regulating telecommunications providers, the council’s role is expanding amidst the escalating U.S.-China tech competition.
The FCC’s jurisdiction is broad, encompassing areas beyond telecommunications infrastructure, including drone certification and submarine communication cable regulation, all of which face security threats from China.
One of the council’s primary tasks is expected to be investigating the “Salt Typhoon” incident, a months-long cyberattack launched by Chinese hackers targeting multiple U.S. telecommunications networks.
This attack allowed hackers to intercept unencrypted voice communications, resulting in wide-ranging impacts. Former U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described the attack as “unprecedented in scale.”
The establishment of the new National Security Council is anticipated to integrate resources from various agencies to address a variety of threats from China in a more comprehensive and centralized manner.
In recent years, countering Chinese threats has become a top priority for various U.S. agencies. In 2021, the Central Intelligence Agency established the “China Mission Center” to enhance focus on Beijing.
The U.S. State Department also created the “China House” to specifically address diplomatic and security issues related to China. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the U.S. Department of Commerce is also intensifying efforts to prevent China from acquiring advanced U.S. technology, particularly in AI and semiconductor fields.
The FCC’s National Security Council is expected to shift its focus from individual Chinese entities to broader industry strategies. Some critics point out that past U.S. government sanction measures have loopholes, such as Chinese companies evading bans by changing names.
The council is expected to oversee cloud computing, AI data centers, drones, connected vehicles, IoT devices, and other technologies related to China to ensure the security of American technological infrastructure.