The FCC voted unanimously in October to block new approvals for devices containing parts from firms on its so-called “Covered List” and granted itself authority to bar previously approved equipment in certain cases. Companies on the list include Hikvision, Huawei, ZTE, China Mobile, and China Telecom.
Hikvision said in its petition that the FCC “exceeded its authority” and is attempting to “retroactively curtain lawful authorizations without a sufficient legal or evidentiary basis.” The company added that its action aims “to protect our established market rights and the lawful interests of our customers and partners, and to support a stable, transparent and predictable regulatory environment for all law-abiding businesses.” The FCC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The dispute comes amid heightened scrutiny of Chinese technology by U.S. regulators, with the FCC taking aggressive steps to prevent the import, sale, and use of equipment considered a national security threat. Earlier this year, American retail websites reportedly removed millions of listings for prohibited Chinese electronics, including home security cameras and smartwatches from Hikvision, Huawei, ZTE, and Dahua Technology, following the commission’s crackdown.
Hikvision, a major global supplier of video surveillance and network transmission equipment, previously sought to overturn a 2022 FCC ban on new approvals for its U.S. operations, but a federal appeals court rejected the bid in February.
Separately, the FCC has moved to revoke the operating license of Hong Kong telecom carrier HKT, a subsidiary of PCCW, citing national security concerns, and has withdrawn recognition from certain Chinese government-controlled test labs.
The legal challenge by Hikvision marks the latest escalation in a long-running dispute between U.S. regulators and Chinese technology firms, as the United States continues to tighten restrictions on foreign telecommunications equipment it deems a threat to national security.