BIS Making Progress on Export Restrictions for Crime Control Reasons, Official Says

July 5, 2022 by Ian Cohen|Export Controls

The Bureau of Industry and Security is still reviewing export controls on facial recognition software, surveillance-related products and other goods controlled for crime-control reasons, but it may move forward on the rule soon, a Commerce Department official said.

BIS requested feedback on the potential restrictions in July 2020 (see 2007160021). Several technology companies warned the agency against imposing overly broad, unilateral export restrictions that could hurt U.S. competitiveness (see 2010090044).

“We have reason to be optimistic that in a short time frame, I think it'll get more attention,” said the official, speaking on background last week under a policy for certain career personnel, at the BIS annual update conference. BIS will likely issue the rule as an advance notice of proposed rulemaking and will ask for feedback on both adding and dropping biometric items from the Commerce Control List, the official said.