The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the import of new Chinese humanoid robots and robot dogs, citing national security concerns. The rule's broad definition also includes devices like Roombas, robotic lawn mowers, and delivery bots. The Trump administration used the FCC to implement the ban, which took effect on July 28, 2026, according to Reuters via Nikkei. The stated goals are to protect the US AI buildout from Chinese threats such as disruption, data theft, and cyberattacks, and to bring manufacturing back to the US.

The administration's National Security Determination outlines two main arguments. First, it highlights supply chain vulnerabilities, noting that global manufacturing of advanced robots and their critical parts is increasingly concentrated in a few countries. Some of these countries have shown a willingness to disrupt US supply chains during geopolitical tensions. The document states that relying on foreign sources subjects the US economy to 'the whims of foreign entities that could disrupt or degrade the supply chains at a time of their choosing.' Second, it identifies cybersecurity risks, noting that robots are inherently networked systems with large attack surfaces that enable data exfiltration, remote control, and insecure over-the-air updates. The document states that robots collect data that bad actors could use 'to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots.'

The document cites specific incidents, including a vulnerability in one category of foreign robots that allowed remote access to thousands of devices in homes worldwide, including live camera feeds, microphone audio, and detailed floor plans. Another case involved a flaw in certain humanoid robots that made it possible to take over their operation and scan for other robots nearby, which could have enabled a self-spreading 'humanoid botnet.' In April 2025, security researchers found what appeared to be a pre-installed backdoor in Chinese robot dogs that granted full access to their cameras and controls. The government also notes that some foreign jurisdictions prohibit companies from disclosing security flaws to customers, increasing the risk that foreign governments could exploit those flaws for manipulation or data extraction.

Source: thedecoder