Members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reached out to Jessica Rosenworcel, chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission, seeking information concerning security issues related to Chinese cellular modules and their impact on American electronic devices. 

Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP, teamed up with Committee ranking member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, R-Ill., to raise inquiries about the potential breach of national security caused by Chinese cellular modules in relation to American Internet of Things (IoT) devices, according to an Aug. 8 news release.

"Connectivity modules are used in a wide variety of devices throughout the U.S., from consumer ‘smart devices’, to electric cars, to U.S. telecom networks regulated by the FCC," Gallagher said in the release. "Serving as the link between the device and the internet, these modules have the capacity both to brick the device and to access the data flowing from the device to the web server that runs each device. As a result, if the CCP can control the module, it may be able to effectively exfiltrate data or shut down the IoT device. This raises particularly grave concerns in the context of critical infrastructure and any type of sensitive data."

IoT devices encompass any gadgets that could potentially utilize the internet while in operation, according to the release.

The lawmakers are seeking swift responses to inquiries concerning the national security risk posed by Chinese cellular modules, including questions such as: "Is the FCC, or other agencies with which it collaborates on national security issues, able to track the presence of Quectel, Fibocom, and other cellular IoT modules provided by PRC-based companies in the U.S.?" the release said.

Other questions include, "Does the FCC share our concerns about the presence of PRC cellular IoT modules in U.S. networks?" and "Does the FCC require or desire further statutory authorities to combat the threat that PRC cellular IoT modules pose?" the release noted.

With a career spanning more than twenty years in communications policy, Rosenworcel previously held the role of senior communications counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, according to the FCC website. She has also been recognized as one of POLITICO's 50 Politicos to Watch and was featured in a profile by InStyle Magazine.