FCC Blocks Devices Containing HiSilicon Chips
New rules limiting semiconductor sourcing from security-risk entities are impacting product authorization in the U.S.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Semiconductors
Live Poll
Should the U.S. block electronic devices containing components from companies identified as national security risks?
The FCC has blocked two electronic devices from receiving equipment authorization because they contained chips manufactured by Huawei subsidiary HiSilicon. The action follows new rules that took effect in October 2026 prohibiting the use of semiconductor components from companies designated as national security risks.
Why it matters
This enforcement action signals a stricter regulatory environment for consumer electronics manufacturers operating in the U.S. By targeting specific silicon components, the FCC is establishing a hardware-level screening process to mitigate potential national security vulnerabilities in connected devices.
The rejected products integrated the Hi3516CV610, a system-on-chip designed with native support for human-face detection algorithms. The FCC prohibits such components because they are produced by companies on the agency's Covered List.
The players
FCC
The independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating interstate and international communications and enforcing equipment authorization standards.
HiSilicon
A semiconductor company and subsidiary of Huawei that designs system-on-chip architectures for video processing and surveillance applications.
The details
The FCC equipment authorization process requires manufacturers to certify that telecommunications and connected devices comply with federal standards before they can be legally marketed. By denying these specific applications, the agency is leveraging its procurement and authorization authority to exclude hardware from entities identified as security threats. The Hi3516CV610 is a system-on-chip—an integrated circuit that includes all the necessary components of a computer or other electronic system on a single substrate—which the agency determined poses a risk due to its surveillance-capable features.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: New FCC component sourcing restrictions took effect.
October 2026: The FCC announced the enforcement action against the two devices.
The Tech Race
This enforcement action extends the reach of the FCC Covered List by applying strict component-level bans to consumer electronics. It marks a shift from focusing on network-wide infrastructure to scrutinizing the specific silicon architectures embedded in everyday connected hardware.
Manufacturers of dashboard cameras and wireless transmitters must now ensure their supply chains exclude restricted silicon to avoid authorization denial. This shift may lead to hardware redesigns or product delays for any electronics relying on chips from companies on the agency's prohibited list.
The takeaway
The FCC is actively scrubbing prohibited silicon from the U.S. supply chain to curb potential surveillance risks in consumer gear. Stakeholders should track future FCC equipment authorization denials to identify which specific component manufacturers face further restrictions.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving hardware compliance standards at Semiconductors.
Live Poll
Should the U.S. block electronic devices containing components from companies identified as national security risks?
