FCC denies US firm with Chinese links approval to provide telecoms services

The US Federal Communications Commission ⁠said on Tuesday it is adding California-based Digitalsystem Technology to a list of companies posing risks to US national security, citing links to Chinese telecoms firms and its ownership by a Chinese national.

The FCC also said ‌it was denying the Los Angeles-based IT company permission to provide international telecommunications services, saying it could be exploited by Chinese threat actors.

“There is significant risk that the government of China and other threat actors could exploit any vulnerabilities to the detriment of US national security and law enforcement interests,” the FCC said, citing ⁠concerns about the collection, disruption or misrouting of US communications.

The company and Chinese embassy in ‌Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The FCC cited concerns about Digitalsystem Technology partnerships with Hong Kong-based PCCW, China Unicom and ‌China Mobile.

Previously, the FCC barred China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom ⁠from providing international ⁠telecommunications services to the United States, citing national security concerns.