THE United States Commerce Department on Wednesday announced new rules intended to curb the sale of offensive cyber security products to some countries with “authoritarian” practices, according to a Federal Register submission.

US companies and any company that sells US-made cyber software will need a license when selling hacking tools to certain foreign governments or any buyers, including middlemen, located in Russia or China.

“ e United States government opposes the misuse of technology to abuse human rights or conduct other malicious cyber activities, and these new rules will help ensure that US companies are not fuelling authoritarian practices," the Commerce Department said in a statement.

A license would be required for sales to foreign governments that are categorised as “countries of national security or weapons of mass destruction concern”, or which are already subject to an arms embargo.

Historically, US companies were already required to seek a license from the federal government when selling sensitive encryption technologies or communication interception systems abroad.

But the rules announced on Wednesday are among the most consequential concerning the export of American cyber technologies abroad. — Reuters.