FCC Commissioner starks calls for new scrutiny of undersea data cables

Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks called for new scrutiny of undersea cables that transmit nearly all the world’s internet data traffic at the FCC meeting Sept 30.  “We must take a closer look at cables with landing locations in adversary countries,” Commissioner Starks said. “This includes the four existing submarine cables connecting the US and China, most of which are partially owned by Chinese state-owned companies.” Commissioner Starks said the FCC “must ensure that adversary countries and other hostile actors can’t tamper with, block, or intercept the communications they carry.”