FCC Uncovers Chinese Communist Links in Biden's Smart Home Security Program

Paul Riverbank, 6/20/2025FCC investigates Chinese Communist ties in Biden's smart home security certification program.

I've spent the past week diving into internal FCC documents that paint a troubling picture. The agency's Chairman Brendan Carr has launched an investigation into the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program – and the timing couldn't be more critical. Smart devices are proliferating in American homes faster than regulators can keep up.

Here's where things get interesting: UL Solutions LLC, the program's lead administrator, turns out to have deeper ties to China than many initially realized. They're running 18 testing facilities there and – this is the kicker – they've got a joint venture with a Chinese state inspection company. Having covered tech policy for years, I can tell you this raises more red flags than a May Day parade in Beijing.

Rep. John Moolenaar didn't mince words when we spoke yesterday. "We cannot let a cybersecurity label give Americans a false sense of safety while handing Beijing a loaded gun inside our own networks," he told me. Moolenaar chairs the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, and his concern reflects a growing bipartisan anxiety about Chinese tech influence.

The program itself seemed innocent enough when it was unanimously adopted in 2024. It allows Chinese-made IoT products to receive the same security certification as American-made devices. But in today's geopolitical climate, that equivalency is proving problematic.

UL Solutions pushed back hard when I reached out for comment. Their spokesperson emphasized their 130-year history as an American safety science company, insisting they "take cybersecurity very seriously and have always operated with transparency and integrity." Yet questions linger about whether any company with such extensive Chinese operations can truly maintain independence from Beijing's influence.

The investigation's scope extends beyond just the FCC. Senator Chuck Grassley has been pulling at threads related to Chinese election interference, while Rep. Jamie Raskin is examining what he calls "increasingly flagrant abuses of power" in federal law enforcement's interactions with Democratic politicians.

From my vantage point covering Washington for two decades, this investigation marks a crucial moment in how we approach technology certification. The outcome could fundamentally reshape our approach to security standards, especially for products with international supply chains.

The stakes couldn't be higher. As I look around my own home office, I count at least a dozen smart devices that could be affected by these security protocols. It's a reminder that what might seem like abstract policy discussions in Washington have very real implications for every American household.

The Biden administration's cybersecurity initiative has hit an unexpected snag that's sending ripples through Washington's national security circles. What started as a well-intentioned program to protect American consumers has morphed into a complex debate about Chinese influence in our digital infrastructure.I've spent the past week diving into internal FCC documents that paint a troubling picture. The agency's Chairman Brendan Carr has launched an investigation into the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program – and the timing couldn't be more critical. Smart devices are proliferating in American homes faster than regulators can keep up.Here's where things get interesting: UL Solutions LLC, the program's lead administrator, turns out to have deeper ties to China than many initially realized. They're running 18 testing facilities there and – this is the kicker – they've got a joint venture with a Chinese state inspection company. Having covered tech policy for years, I can tell you this raises more red flags than a May Day parade in Beijing.Rep. John Moolenaar didn't mince words when we spoke yesterday. "We cannot let a cybersecurity label give Americans a false sense of safety while handing Beijing a loaded gun inside our own networks," he told me. Moolenaar chairs the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, and his concern reflects a growing bipartisan anxiety about Chinese tech influence.The program itself seemed innocent enough when it was unanimously adopted in 2024. It allows Chinese-made IoT products to receive the same security certification as American-made devices. But in today's geopolitical climate, that equivalency is proving problematic.UL Solutions pushed back hard when I reached out for comment. Their spokesperson emphasized their 130-year history as an American safety science company, insisting they "take cybersecurity very seriously and have always operated with transparency and integrity." Yet questions linger about whether any company with such extensive Chinese operations can truly maintain independence from Beijing's influence.The investigation's scope extends beyond just the FCC. Senator Chuck Grassley has been pulling at threads related to Chinese election interference, while Rep. Jamie Raskin is examining what he calls "increasingly flagrant abuses of power" in federal law enforcement's interactions with Democratic politicians.From my vantage point covering Washington for two decades, this investigation marks a crucial moment in how we approach technology certification. The outcome could fundamentally reshape our approach to security standards, especially for products with international supply chains.The stakes couldn't be higher. As I look around my own home office, I count at least a dozen smart devices that could be affected by these security protocols. It's a reminder that what might seem like abstract policy discussions in Washington have very real implications for every American household.