US sets new rules for undersea Internet cables to block security threats from China

Cables

The US Federal Communications Commission has adopted new rules to expedite and secure the deployment of subsea internet cables, citing increased threats from China and other foreign governments. The move, aimed at safeguarding national security and supporting the country’s edge in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, was first reported by Bloomberg.

Subsea cables handle nearly all global internet traffic and over $10 trillion in daily financial transactions. They are now considered critical infrastructure vulnerable to espionage and sabotage.

The FCC said the updated rules would streamline the cable licensing process while placing stricter security controls on projects involving entities linked to foreign adversaries. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said, “We not only want to unleash the deployment of new undersea cables — we want to make sure those cables are secure.” He added that infrastructure has been increasingly targeted by countries like China.

Under the new regulations, companies backed by adversarial governments will face a presumption of denial unless they can demonstrate the project poses no security threat. Operators will also need to meet additional cybersecurity and physical security requirements for cables landing on US soil.

FCC commissioner Anna Gomez noted the growing risk of surveillance and sabotage: “Our global adversaries understand this.” She pointed out that while China is scaling up investment in subsea infrastructure, Russia has the capability to map and monitor cable routes.

The rule change is part of broader US efforts to limit Chinese influence in strategic technologies.