In a growing wave of scrutiny against Chinese technology firms, US lawmakers are calling for rigorous investigations into Baicells, a telecom hardware manufacturer founded by alumni of Huawei. The company has supplied base stations and routers to over 700 US networks, including sensitive military locations, raising alarms about potential national security risks [08bb5b62].
Prominent lawmakers, including Representatives John Moolenaar and Frank Pallone, have expressed concerns about Baicells' involvement in critical infrastructure and the implications for US cybersecurity. They argue that the company’s connections to Huawei, which has faced accusations of espionage, necessitate thorough oversight to protect sensitive data from potential interception by Chinese authorities [08bb5b62].
Baicells, however, maintains that its products do not pose security threats and has expressed willingness to cooperate with US inquiries. The company is currently under investigation by the FBI and the Department of Commerce due to cyber vulnerabilities flagged by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) [08bb5b62].
Democratic Senator Mark Warner has criticized the US's overall approach to national security, labeling it ineffective in addressing the complexities of modern threats, particularly those posed by foreign technology firms [08bb5b62].
This scrutiny of Baicells comes on the heels of heightened tensions between the US and China, particularly regarding technology and defense sectors. The ongoing investigations and discussions among lawmakers reflect a broader concern about the implications of Chinese technology in the US market and its potential to compromise national security [08bb5b62].