H.R. 866: Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act

This bill, titled the "Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act," also known as the "ROUTERS Act," proposes the following actions:

Overview of the Bill

The main purpose of the bill is to instruct the Secretary of Commerce to perform a study concerning the national security risks associated with consumer routers, modems, and modem-router combination devices. This study would specifically focus on devices that are designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by entities that are owned by, controlled by, or influenced by "covered countries."

Key Provisions

• Study on National Security Risks: The Secretary of Commerce will conduct a thorough study to assess how consumer networking devices may pose security threats to national interests.
• Reporting Requirements: The Secretary must submit a report detailing the study's findings to the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate within one year of the bill's enactment.
• Definition of "Covered Country": The term refers to specific countries identified in section 4872(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code. These are countries deemed to present potential risks due to their influence or control over certain technologies.
• Role of the Secretary: The Secretary mentioned in the bill is the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, who will act through the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information to carry out these tasks.

Implications

The findings from this study could influence future regulations or restrictions on specific technologies and products, particularly those linked to international manufacturers from designated "covered countries." The bill highlights concerns about the integrity and safety of consumer internet technologies and aims to scrutinize potential vulnerabilities arising from foreign influence.

Relevant Companies

• None found