China’s Undermining an Open Internet

[Commentary] Like the United States, China has a legitimate interest in improving the cybersecurity of its computers and networks and protecting its citizens and businesses from the threats posed by malicious cyber actors. But aspects of China’s actions, including the direction of their recently announced regulations -- which have been billed as a means to promote better cybersecurity -- are not the answer.

China’s new rules require technology companies doing business with banks to demonstrate that their products are “secure and controllable” by, among other things, making their source code available to the Chinese government, providing the Chinese government with back doors in software and hardware and requiring localization of foreign intellectual property to China. Not only are these regulations inconsistent with international cybersecurity best practices, they are anticompetitive trade barriers. Entrepreneurs and innovators in both of our countries are depending on the United States and China to work together to make the Internet more safe and secure. We must make progress for them -- and for everyone who wants the Internet to continue to be the greatest platform for social and economic development the world has ever seen.

[Michael Daniel is the Cybersecurity Coordinator at the National Security Council. Ambassador Robert Holleyman is the Deputy Trade Representative in the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Alex Niejelow is the Chief of Staff to the US Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator within the Executive Office of the President]