FCC to probe domestic Russian-owned media and telecom companies

The Federal Communications Fee launched an investigation this week into numerous media, telecom and infrastructure firms that function in the US with ties to Russia, CNN . The probe, allegedly being carried out collectively with the Division of Homeland Safety and the Division of Justice, is geared toward companies thought of a “nationwide safety threat,” and covers a wide selection of enterprise varieties together with , and .

The FCC’s evaluation additionally arrives as many US cybersecurity consultants warn of the elevated hazard of cyber assaults, particularly on vital infrastructure. The US just lately imposed a variety of sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, and it’s doable Russia could retaliate by means of cyber warfare. Latest cyber campaigns suspected to have ties to the Russian authorities embody the hacks of the , , and within the US, UK and Canada. US cyber officers have additionally companies, banks and state and native governments to be vigilant for ransomware.

An analogous investigation in opposition to Chinese language firms Huawei and ZTE launched by the FCC in 2019 over considerations their tools allowed for of US actions. It’s unknown precisely what number of related firms with Russia ties will likely be lined by the probe. Russia additionally funds media firms within the US and different nations. UK prime minister Boris Johnson just lately ordered a probe into the UK license for (Russia Right now) a Kremlin-backed world information outlet with workplaces in the US and throughout Europe. US firm T&R Productions, which backs RT America, has acquired over $100 million from the Russian authorities, an Open Secrets and techniques revealed.