GOP senators want Chinese health monitors added to FCC's banned equipment list

GOP Sens. Rick Scott and Dave McCormick called on the Federal Communications Commission to investigate national security risks posed by Chinese-made health wearables.

In a letter sent to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on Thursday, Mr. Scott of Florida and Mr. McCormick of Pennsylvania sounded the alarm over Chinese-manufactured health devices used by American seniors.

The senators asked the FCC for a formal briefing and a review of whether certain products should be banned outright.

The core concern is that China’s domestic cybersecurity law compels Chinese companies to hand over data to the government on demand — meaning any wearable device made by a Chinese company could expose Americans’ sensitive health data to Beijing without their knowledge.

“While the threat of Chinese health wearable data exfiltration affects all Americans, we are especially concerned about the risk to senior citizens who increasingly rely on specific categories of connected health monitoring devices primarily designed and marketed for their use,” the lawmakers wrote.

The senators’ letter calls out six product categories for FCC review: personal emergency response systems, smartwatches & fitness trackers, remote blood pressure & cardiac monitors, continuous glucose monitors, smart hearing aids and home remote patient monitoring devices.

They’re the very devices that determine whether a senior gets emergency medical care, whether their medication is working and whether they’re safe to remain in their own home.

Mr. Scott and Mr. McCormick requested an FCC briefing for the Senate Aging Committee and an assessment of whether these products and their components should be added to the FCC’s Covered List of prohibited equipment, with a response deadline of July 15.