FCC Just Banned Roombas; Crypto Twitter Already Owns the Meme 🧹

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has added foreign-made advanced robotic devices, including humanoid and quadruped robots, robot vacuum cleaners, and connected power inverters, to its Covered List, following national security determinations from a White House-convened interagency group. The agency confirmed to The Verge that the scope covers any new robotic device weighing more than 4.4 pounds, connecting to the internet, and capable of viewing its environment, sweeping in delivery robots and internet-connected lawnmowers alongside Roombas. The FCC announced the action in a press release on Tuesday.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr framed the move as part of broader supply-chain security work. "I welcome these Executive Branch national security determinations, and I am pleased that the FCC has now added foreign-produced advanced robotics and power inverters to the FCC's Covered List," Carr said in a statement. "Following President Trump's leadership, the FCC will continue to do our part to secure America's critical supply chains and, with today's action, the FCC is acting in lock step with our national security agencies to do just that." The Covered List identifies communications equipment the U.S. government considers a threat to national security, and products on it generally cannot receive new FCC equipment authorization, which most electronic devices need before they can be imported, marketed, or sold in the United States.

The interagency review concluded the products could create supply chain weaknesses and cybersecurity risks affecting critical infrastructure and public safety. Agencies warned that internet-connected robots could collect sensitive data, be used to monitor Americans, or be taken over remotely, while connected power inverters, which convert electricity between different forms for use on the power grid, could be exploited to disrupt parts of the grid, steal data, or give attackers unauthorized access to critical systems.

The restrictions apply only to future device models seeking FCC approval. Already-authorized products can continue to be imported, marketed, and sold, and consumers may keep using devices they already own. Federal agency purchases and use are also unaffected. Manufacturers may still seek FCC authorization if they first receive Conditional Approval from the Department of Defense for robotic devices or, for power inverters, from the Department of Homeland Security after those agencies complete their reviews.