U.S. Justice Department backs Google request to use part of U.S.

The U.S Justice Department on Wednesday recommended U.S. regulators approve Alphabet Inc's request to use part of a U.S.-Asia undersea telecommunications cable.

Google agreed to operate a portion of the 8,000-mile Pacific Light Cable Network System between the United States and Taiwan, but not Hong Kong.

A letter told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the Justice Department and other U.S. agencies believe "there is a significant risk that the grant of a direct cable connection between the United States and Hong Kong would seriously jeopardize the national security and law enforcement interests of the United States." The FCC declined to comment.