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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is prohibited from reviewing or issuing new equipment licenses to companies deemed a national security threat, but companies with ties to several countries of concern still hold certain authorizations or licenses from the FCC. Additional transparency is needed to ensure U.S. telecommunications infrastructure remains secure.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act (FACT Act) to require the FCC to publish a list of companies that hold FCC authorizations, licenses, or other grants of authority, and that are owned, in whole or in part, by China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, or Venezuela.

• “We know that adversaries like China and Russia exploit and infiltrate our telecommunications infrastructure, which poses a serious threat to our national security interests. This bill would shine a light on the problem by mandating disclosure of companies with FCC licenses that are under the influence of our adversaries.” – Senator Rubio

U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced companion legislation in the House. 

• “I’m working to shine a light on the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party and our other foreign adversaries. Allowing companies owned by China and our other foreign adversaries to have access to our critical infrastructure is playing with fire, and we must have transparency over the influence they can have over the lives of American citizens.” – Congresswoman Stefanik

Want more information? 

• November, 2022: Rubio, Colleagues Applaud FCC’s Decision to Implement Secure Equipment Act