Republican Lawmakers Seek Assurance on Submarine Communication Cable Security

Three Republican House lawmakers have raised concerns about the security of submarine communication cables and their potential vulnerability to foreign adversarial actors, particularly from China and Russia. In a letter addressed to the CEOs of Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft, the lawmakers sought assurance that adequate safeguards have been adopted to protect these critical infrastructure assets.

The network of over 400 subsea cables that facilitate 99% of international internet traffic has been a subject of growing national security concerns. The lawmakers highlighted the involvement of entities affiliated with China, such as SBSS, Huawei Marine, China Telecom, and China Unicom, in the maintenance and servicing of cable systems linked to the tech companies.

The letter, signed by Representative John Moolenaar, Carlos Gimenez, and Keith Self, expressed worries about potential hardware tampering, signal tapping, distortion, or other irregularities during cable repair or maintenance events. The lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency and urged the companies to disclose any suspected incidents by August 8.

Concerns about coordinated malicious activities targeting subsea infrastructure in strategic regions like the Baltic Sea and Indo-Pacific were also highlighted in the letter. Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr recently announced plans to introduce rules prohibiting the connection of undersea cables with Chinese technology to the US.

In recent years, instances of cable disruptions due to sabotage or attacks have been reported. In 2024, two fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea were cut, leading to investigations of possible sabotage. Taiwan accused Chinese vessels of cutting cables vital for internet access in the Matsu Islands in 2023. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have also been linked to cable cuts affecting internet service to Europe and Asia.

The lawmakers’ initiative reflects the growing recognition of the strategic importance of submarine communication cables and the need to safeguard them against potential threats from hostile actors. With cybersecurity becoming a top priority in the digital age, ensuring the resilience and security of critical infrastructure like subsea cables is paramount for national security and global connectivity.

As the tech companies await the deadline to respond to the lawmakers’ inquiries, the focus on submarine communication cable security is expected to intensify, with implications for international cybersecurity and geopolitical dynamics.