The U.S. administration has taken a step that will intensify global competition.

The United States announced that it has imposed trade restrictions on eight companies, including two Chinese and several Russian firms, due to allegations of human rights violations. Among the identified China-based companies is Zhejiang Uniview Technologies, which the U.S. accuses of facilitating human rights violations.

The other company named by the U.S. Department of Commerce is Beijing Zhongdun Security Technology Group, which is said to develop and sell products that enable public safety officials to commit rights violations.

The businesses have been added to a "entity list" that requires U.S. companies to obtain a license before exporting to them.

FACIAL RECOGNITION COMPANIES ARE ALSO ON THE SANCTIONS LIST

In a statement, Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Trade, Industry, and Security Alan Estevez said, "Human rights violations are contrary to U.S. foreign policy interests."

He added that the purpose of adding these companies to the entity list is "to ensure that U.S. technology is not used to facilitate human rights violations and abuses."

The Department of Commerce also added some Russian firms that provide facial recognition technology to Moscow and operate in Myanmar to the list.