Millions of Illegal Chinese Devices Removed from Major U.S. Online Retailers Amid FCC Crackdown

In a significant move to protect U.S. National Security, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has directed major American e-commerce platforms to remove millions of listings for illegal Chinese electronic devices. The FCC confirmed that these listings, recently taken down, included unauthorized gadgets that violated federal import and security regulations.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr revealed that the removed products included unapproved devices or those listed under the U.S. government’s prohibited equipment list. Among the banned items were smartwatches, home surveillance cameras, and communication devices produced by major Chinese tech manufacturers such as Dahua Technology Company, Huawei, Hangzhou Hikvision, and ZTE Corporation.

According to Carr, following stricter enforcement of FCC policies, several companies have now adopted enhanced internal systems to prevent future listings of such unauthorized or restricted products. “We will continue to put forth our best effort to ensure compliance and security,” Carr emphasized during an interview.

The FCC also issued a national security reminder to American businesses, stressing that certain equipment—especially video surveillance tools—remain restricted because of their potential to compromise user privacy. Carr noted that these devices could enable Chinese entities to monitor Americans, disrupt communication infrastructures, and threaten the integrity of national networks.

U.S. Increases Pressure on Chinese Tech Firms

This latest action by the FCC is part of a broader series of U.S. efforts to curb the influence of Chinese technology companies in sensitive sectors like telecommunications, semiconductors, and the automotive industry. The removal of illegal gadgets underscores washington’s ongoing strategy to limit the import and sale of products that pose cybersecurity or surveillance risks.

Earlier this week, the FCC announced plans to vote on expanding restrictions on telecom equipment produced by firms linked to china’s national security apparatus. This follows earlier actions that placed companies such as Huawei, ZTE, China Mobile, and China Telecom on the FCC’s “Covered List,” effectively barring them from selling or importing new equipment into the United States.

On October 28, the FCC will decide on new measures that could ban the approval of devices containing Covered List components and potentially revoke prior authorizations for already-approved Chinese products under certain security circumstances.

Ongoing Investigations and Regulatory Actions

In March, the FCC disclosed that it was actively investigating nine Chinese companies featured on the Covered List, including China Unicom (Americas), Pacifica Networks/ComNet, Huawei, ZTE, Hytera Communications, and Dahua Technology Company. The investigations are focused on identifying and eliminating any equipment or services that could compromise American data security or communications infrastructure.

When approached for comment, the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. declined to issue an immediate statement on the FCC’s ongoing actions. However, this silence aligns with beijing’s typical response to similar U.S. national security measures.

The FCC has previously banned several Chinese telecommunications providers from operating within the United States, citing persistent security and espionage concerns. Most recently, the Commission initiated steps to revoke the recognition of seven testing facilities that are either owned or controlled by the Chinese government, marking another escalation in Washington’s crackdown on potentially compromised foreign technology.

Conclusion

The removal of millions of unauthorized Chinese devices from U.S. e-commerce platforms marks a major milestone in America’s ongoing efforts to safeguard its digital infrastructure. With stronger enforcement, tighter import scrutiny, and expanding restrictions, the FCC aims to protect American consumers and networks from foreign surveillance threats. As the Investigation deepens, the message remains clear: national security and consumer safety come first.