The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) published an amendment to USML Category XI(b) (82 FR 41172). The amendment continues the current text as follows:
*(b) Electronic systems, equipment or software, not elsewhere enumerated in this subchapter, specially designed for intelligence purposes that collect, survey, monitor, or exploit, or analyze and produce information from, the electromagnetic spectrum (regardless of transmission medium), or for counteracting such activities.
This text was scheduled to be replaced on August 30, 2017, but with the amendment the replacement will be delayed until August 30, 2018. At that time, unless otherwise amended, Category XI(b) will read:
*(b) Electronic systems or equipment, not elsewhere enumerated in this subchapter, specially designed for intelligence purposes that collect, survey, monitor, or exploit the electromagnetic spectrum (regardless of transmission medium), or for counteracting such activities.
The change now scheduled for 2018 removes “software” as well as the capability to analyze and produce information from the electromagnetic spectrum.
The current language is meant to maintain control of “certain intelligence-analytics software” until a long-term solution is developed. The rule gives the government additional time “to review USML Category XI in full and publish proposed and final rules.”