U.S. Targets Chinese Tech in Undersea Cables Amid Growing Security Fears

In a move that is likely to spark further global tech tensions, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing to ban Chinese-manufactured equipment from undersea telecommunications cables that connect the United States to the rest of the world. The decision targets major Chinese tech players like Huawei, ZTE, and China Mobile, citing escalating concerns over national security.

Undersea cables form the backbone of global internet infrastructure, carrying roughly 95% of international data traffic. These fiber-optic lifelines link continents and support everything from financial transactions to cloud services. However, their critical role also makes them prime targets for espionage and sabotage.

Recent incidents have fueled these concerns. Authorities have reported mysterious cable disruptions in the Baltic Sea and near Taiwan, raising suspicions of covert tampering. In this context, U.S. officials argue that allowing Chinese technology into submarine networks creates potential backdoors for surveillance or cyber interference.

This move aligns with a broader U.S. strategy to reduce reliance on foreign telecommunications hardware, especially from companies linked to the Chinese government. Similar bans have already been placed on Chinese components in terrestrial 5G networks and government IT systems.

Industry experts, however, warn that securing undersea cables is a complex challenge. The infrastructure is sprawling and often managed by multinational consortiums, making oversight difficult. Still, by restricting Chinese suppliers, the U.S. aims to tighten control over its digital gateways to the world.

As technology and geopolitics continue to intertwine, the race to secure global communications infrastructure is intensifying, both above and beneath the world’s oceans.