The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) warns 2 Chinese companies, Quectel and Fibocom, could spy on Americans through smart home devices. Author and China Expert, Gordon Chang says we need to understand that China uses every point of contact to spy on us and take our society.
The report outlines how these modules are ubiquitous in American life. They are found in common smart household items such as doorbells, refrigerators, and thermostats, as well as in critical infrastructure including ports, hospitals, power grids, cranes, and transportation networks.
“We should assume that anyone who has a conversation near a smart device, which was manufactured in China, assume they are being heard and recorded in Beijing.” Chang said.
The author says China uses every point of contact to spy on us and to take down our society. “We must move with the vigor and determination that is necessary, and that is to manufacture our stuff in our country or on the soil of friendly countries. Certainly, not China that considers us to be the enemy.” He said.
Chang says we will never have amicable relations as long as the Communist party rules it. He says Americans don’t want to acknowledge that, as he uses Osama Bin Laden as an example of that attitude.
“We should assume that Beijing hears everything we say to Alexa and takes those signals and uses it against us.” Chang said.
“If Beijing consolidated control of U.S.-based modules, it could disrupt an American military mobilization in response to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Or, amid a crisis, Beijing could hold Washington hostage by threatening to cause massive economic disruption,” the report states.
While Quectel and Fibocom face competition from Western companies, they still control almost 45 percent of the market, according to the foundation’s findings.
To address the risks the FDD says: the report proposes three specific recommendations. First, Congress should compel the Pentagon to perform an audit of its infrastructure to track down potential embedded Chinese cellular modules. Second, Congress should ban the Pentagon from procuring Chinese cellular modules. Third, the FCC should place Chinese cellular module manufacturers on its Covered List, which would bar their authorization or sale in the United States.
“We know how they do it. This has been no secret for a long time and yet the Pentagon has taken inadequate steps to protect its networks. We need accountability and people need to be fired.” Chang said.