The Bureau of Industry and Security added four technology companies in Israel, Russia and Singapore to the Entity List for “acting contrary” to U.S. foreign policy and national security through “malicious cyber activities,” BIS said in a notice released Nov. 3. The companies either operate or supply technologies in the cyberintelligence and information security sectors and will be subject to a license review policy of presumption of denial for all items subject to the Export Administration Regulations. No license exceptions will be available for controlled exports to the four companies. The additions are effective Nov. 4.
The Bureau of Industry and Security will add four entities in Israel, Russia, and Singapore to the Entity List for "malicious cyber activities" that are contrary to U.S. foreign policy and national security, BIS said in a notice. The two Israeli companies supply malicious spyware to foreign governments, and the companies in Russia and Singapore “traffic in cyber exploits” that threaten the “privacy and security of individuals and organizations worldwide.” BIS will impose a license review policy of presumption of denial for all items subject to the Export Administration Regulations. The Commerce Department said the Entity List additions are part of a government-wide effort to "stem the proliferation of digital tools used for repression." The additions take effect Nov. 4.
Christopher Monahan has joined Faegre Drinker as a partner in its Washington, D.C.-based customs and international trade practice, the firm announced. Monahan, formerly of Winston & Strawn, has advised clients on U.S. international trade and investment regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Export Administration Regulations and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the firm said.
The Bureau of Industry and Security on Oct. 28 updated its guidance on the Foreign-Produced Direct Product Rule to further clarify situations when goods are subject to the FDP rule and require a license. The guidance, which includes a set of frequently asked questions (see 2012210044), now includes new FAQ No. 4 under the "supply chain" subheading, which starts on page four and continues onto page five, a BIS spokesperson said.
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A U.S.-based technology company “likely” violated U.S. export controls against Huawei for more than a year but hasn't yet faced penalties by the Bureau of Industry and Security, Republican staff on the Senate Commerce Committee said Oct. 26. The committee’s minority staff said Seagate Technology likely continued shipping hard disk drives to Huawei after BIS amended its foreign direct product rule last year, which imposed controls on goods that are the direct product of certain technology or software subject to the Export Administration Regulations (see 2005150058 and 2008170029).
Peter Sotis of Delray Beach, Florida, and Emilie Voissem of Sunrise, Florida, were convicted of participating in an illegal export scheme to ship rebreather diving equipment to Libya, the Department of Justice said. Rebreathers, which have dual civilian and military applications, are included on the Commerce Control List and require an export license from the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security. Sotis and Voissem did not acquire this license when they attempted to ship the rebreathers to Libya in 2016, despite being told by a Commerce special agent that a license was required.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking feedback on potential export controls for brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies, which may be added to the Commerce Control List as an emerging technology and face new restrictions and license requirements. The agency is specifically seeking comments on whether feasible and effective controls can be imposed on BCI technologies, which include “neural-controlled interfaces, mind-machine interfaces, direct neural interfaces and brain-machine interfaces,” according to an advance notice of proposed rulemaking. Comments are due Dec. 10.
Export controls may prevent some hurdles in the investment and development of emerging quantum computing technologies, the Government Accountability Office said in an Oct. 19 report. Controls may limit some U.S. trade, prevent U.S. quantum technology companies from collaborating with other countries and deter U.S. firms from employing highly skilled foreign workers, the GAO said.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is proposing to clarify and expand restrictions on using License Exception Strategic Trade Authorization (see 2109130013), which it hopes will reduce exporter “confusion” and better control certain sensitive technologies, BIS said Oct. 21.