Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act or the ROUTERS ActThis bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to conduct a study on the national security risks posed by consumer routers and modems (including devices that combine a modem and router) and provide the results of the study to Congress. The study must address devices developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons (i.e., individuals and entities) owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.
The implications of HB 866 are significant, as it seeks to enhance the security of consumer technologies through regulatory oversight. By requiring a formal study, the bill aims to identify vulnerabilities within the current supply chain of routers and modems, potentially leading to recommendations for policy changes or regulations that would govern the import and use of such technology in the United States. The outcomes of the study may inform future legislative actions aimed at tightening security measures surrounding these essential devices in everyday consumer use.
House Bill 866, known as the Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act (ROUTERS Act), is focused on addressing national security risks associated with consumer routers and modems. The bill mandates the Secretary of Commerce, through the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, to conduct a comprehensive study on these risks, particularly for devices manufactured by entities that may be influenced by certain foreign countries defined as 'covered countries'. This approach emphasizes the need to evaluate how certain technologies could potentially compromise national security.
One notable point of contention surrounding the bill could be the implications for international trade and commerce, particularly with countries that may be classified as 'covered' under the bill's provisions. Discussion may arise regarding the balance between safeguarding national security and maintaining open, competitive markets for technology products. Critics might argue that such measures could lead to unnecessary restrictions on the availability of consumer technology while proponents would advocate for the necessity of ensuring robust national safety frameworks.
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