Rick Scott bill targets Chinese 'spy tech' including DeepSeek and robotics firms
New bill would block six Chinese tech 'dragons' from U.S. markets over security fears.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) has introduced the Blocking CCP Spy Tech Act of 2026, a legislative measure aimed at curbing the influence of six Chinese technology companies he brands as the 'Six Little Dragons.' The bill targets DeepSeek (large language model AI), Game Science (video games), Unitree Robotics, Deep Robotics, BrainCo (neurotechnology), and Manycore Tech (spatial design). Scott argues these entities are at the forefront of the Chinese Communist Party's push into AI, robotics, and digital industries, and pose a threat to U.S. national security. The legislation would compel the FCC to evaluate whether these firms should be placed on its 'Covered List,' effectively banning them from American markets if deemed a risk.
The proposal also carries an economic nationalism angle, with Scott stating it would create a fairer playing field for U.S. manufacturing and protect American jobs. 'Communist China is not our friend. They have chosen to be our enemies and want to destroy us,' Scott said in a statement. The bill arrives amid escalating U.S.-China tech tensions, following earlier restrictions on Huawei and semiconductor exports. Critics argue the move could escalate trade frictions, while supporters see it as a necessary step to safeguard U.S. innovation and critical infrastructure from potential espionage or economic coercion.
- The bill targets six Chinese tech firms: DeepSeek, Game Science, Unitree Robotics, Deep Robotics, BrainCo, and Manycore Tech.
- It would require the FCC to place these companies on its 'Covered List' if they pose national security risks.
- Senator Scott frames the legislation as both a security measure and a way to level the playing field for U.S. manufacturing.
Why It Matters
This bill could reshape U.S.-China tech trade, potentially blocking popular AI and robotics products from American markets.