US senators urge review of undersea cable security
Concerns over Chinese involvement in subsea cables continue to prompt US action.
A group of eight bipartisan US senators has asked President Joe Biden to initiate a security review of the world’s undersea communication cables. These cables, which carry nearly all internet traffic globally, are vital to international connectivity but remain vulnerable to sabotage and espionage. Republican Todd Young and Democrat Chris Murphy led the appeal, raising concerns about the role of Russia and China in cable operations.
More than 400 subsea cables handle over 95% of the world’s data traffic, and their locations are often publicly disclosed to avoid accidental damage. Security concerns surrounding China’s involvement in laying and repairing these cables have been persistent, with US regulators highlighting the risk of tampering and surveillance. In 2020, a Federal Communications Commissioner warned about adversaries potentially intercepting sensitive data.
Senators, including Marco Rubio and Tim Kaine, stressed the need for a national strategy to safeguard undersea infrastructure. They questioned the adequacy of the US fleet responsible for laying and repairing cables and urged the government to promote trusted manufacturers for allied nations. Ensuring the security of internet traffic and infrastructure remains a top priority for lawmakers.
Since 2020, the US has blocked multiple projects connecting the country with Hong Kong due to espionage risks. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently increased pressure on Chinese telecom companies, ordering them to halt operations in the US and advancing new proposals to boost online data security. Both the White House and China’s embassy in Washington have yet to comment.