China Telecom Should Be Barred in US as Threat, Agencies Say

A group of U.S. security agencies is urging the Federal Communications Commission to revoke China Telecom's permission to operate in the United States. From a report: "This recommendation reflects the substantial and unacceptable national security and law enforcement risks" associated with China Telecom's access to the U.S. telecommunications network, the agencies said in a filing at the FCC. The U.S. and China are at odds over a suite of issues such as the spread of the novel coronavirus, trade, and security of telecommunications networks. U.S. officials have moved to bar Chinese gear maker Huawei Technologies as a security threat, a assertion the company denies.

Thursday's recommendation to revoke an authorization held by China Telecom since 2007 is part of a review announced last year by the FCC, as the agency barred China Mobile Ltd. from the U.S. market. The FCC usually follows recommendations from security agencies. "The threat from China Telecom is a reflection of the threat that we see from Chinese telecommunications companies generally," said John Demers, assistant attorney general for national security. "They are beholden to the government of China both by law and in fact to do its bidding."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.