ICZOOM Group, Inc. Class A (IZM) Risk Factors

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business and the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with customers in certain circumstances. The laws and regulations are sometimes vague and may be subject to future changes, and their official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty. The effectiveness and interpretation of newly enacted laws or regulations, including amendments to existing laws and regulations, may be delayed, and our business may be affected if we rely on laws and regulations which are subsequently adopted or interpreted in a manner different from our understanding of these laws and regulations. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations may have on our business. The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil law system may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and the enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties. In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions and contractual terms, it may be difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the relevance of legal requirements and our ability to enforce our contractual rights or tort claims. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited or frivolous legal actions or threats in attempts to extract payments or benefits from us. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all and may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations. Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the "Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law," or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies, and cybersecurity and data privacy protection requirements and similar matters. The Opinions and any related implementing rules to be enacted may subject us to compliance requirement in the future.

The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries established in China. These subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China. However, since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to us. Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the "Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law," or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies, and cybersecurity and data privacy protection requirements and etc. The Opinions and any related implementing rules to be enacted may subject us to compliance requirement in the future. In addition, some regulatory requirements issued by certain PRC government authorities may not be consistently applied by other government authorities (including local government authorities), thus making strict compliance with all regulatory requirements impractical, or in some circumstances impossible. For example, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce the legal protection that we enjoy either by law or contract. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce the contracts we have entered into with our business partners, customers and suppliers. In addition, such uncertainties, including any inability to enforce our contracts, together with any development or interpretation of PRC law that is adverse to us, could materially and adversely affect our business and operations. Furthermore, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in China may not be as effective as in the United States or other more developed countries. We cannot predict the effect of future developments in the PRC legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us and other foreign investors, including you. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources and management attention.

The majority of our operations conducted outside of the U.S. As a result, it may not be possible for the U.S. regulators to conduct investigations or inspections, or to effect service of process within the U.S. or elsewhere outside China on us, our subsidiaries, officers, directors and shareholders, and others, including with respect to matters arising under U.S. federal or state securities laws. China does not have treaties providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the U.S. and many other countries. As a result, recognition and enforcement in China of these judgments in relation to any matter, including U.S. securities laws and the laws of the Cayman Islands, may be difficult or impossible.

Foreign ownership of internet-based businesses, such as provision of internet information services platform and other value-added telecommunication services, are subject to restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. We are an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries are currently considered foreign-invested enterprises. Previously, our B2B online platform was operated through Pai Ming Shenzhen, the VIE, which held the ICP license to provide internet information services in PRC according to the regulations in China. As a result of the contractual agreements we entered into with Pai Ming Shenzhen, we consolidated its financial results as the VIE under U.S. GAAP. In December 2021, we terminated the VIE agreements. As a result, we no longer consolidate the balance sheet data of Pai Ming Shenzhen but the operation and financial results of Pai Ming Shenzhen from the beginning of the period to the VIE termination date, and conduct all of our operations through our wholly owned subsidiaries in China and Hong Kong. ICZOOM HK now operates our B2B online platform www.iczoomex.com which has substantially the same features and functions as the platform prior to the termination of the VIE arrangements and does not require the ICP license under the PRC law. For the year ended June 30, 2022, we generated $72,425 revenue from Pai Ming Shenzhen, respectively. See "Item 4. Information on The Company - A. History and Development of the Company -- Historical Contractual Arrangements" for further details. In the opinion of Jingtian & Gongcheng, our prior PRC legal counsel, based on the legal opinion letter they provided in March 2024, (i) the ownership structures of our WFOE and the VIE in China, both previously were not in violation of PRC laws and regulations at the time thereof; and (ii) the contractual arrangements between our WFOE, the VIE and its shareholder governed by PRC law were not in violation of PRC laws or regulations at the time thereof, and valid and binding upon each party to such arrangements and enforceable against each party thereto in accordance with their terms and applicable PRC laws and regulations at the time thereof. However, they also advised us that, even though we terminated the VIE structure in December 2021, there were still substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules; accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may take a view that is contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel, and we may be subject to severe penalties retroactively. Further, the PRC government could disallow our holding company structure, which would likely result in a material adverse change in our operations, and/or our securities may decline significantly in value or become worthless. If we were subject to severe penalties retroactively, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations and failures, including: - revoking the business and operating licenses of such entities;- discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on our operations;- imposing fines, confiscating the income from our PRC subsidiary or the VIE, or imposing other requirements with which we or our PRC entities may not be able to comply;- restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds from any offerings to finance our business and operations in China. Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to securities regulation, data protection, cybersecurity and mergers and acquisitions and other matters. The central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations. Government actions in the future could significantly affect economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof, and could require us to materially change our operating activities or divest ourselves of any interests we hold in Chinese assets. Our business may be subject to various government and regulatory interference in the provinces in which we operate. We may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. Our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to our business or industry. Given recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, any such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law, or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies. As of the date of this Annual Report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions from PRC government authorities in connection with the Opinions. On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, or the SCNPC, promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which took effect in September 2021. The PRC Data Security Law imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities, and introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree of harm it will cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations when such data is tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or used. The PRC Data Security Law also provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data an information. In early July 2021, regulatory authorities in China launched cybersecurity investigations with regard to several China-based companies that are listed in the United States. The Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced on July 2 that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) and two days later ordered that the company's app be removed from smartphone app stores. On July 5, 2021, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator launched the same investigation on two other Internet platforms, China's Full Truck Alliance of Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YMM) and Boss of KANZHUN LIMITED (Nasdaq: BZ). On July 24, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly released the Guidelines for Further Easing the Burden of Excessive Homework and Off-campus Tutoring for Students at the Stage of Compulsory Education, pursuant to which foreign investment in such firms via mergers and acquisitions, franchise development, and variable interest entities are banned from this sector. On November 14, 2021, the CAC released the Regulations on the Network Data Security Management (Draft for Comments), or the Data Security Management Regulations Draft, to solicit public opinion and comments. Pursuant to the Data Security Management Regulations Draft, data processor holding more than one million users/users' individual information shall be subject to cybersecurity review before listing abroad. Data processing activities refers to activities such as the collection, retention, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure, or deletion of data. According to the latest amended Cybersecurity Review Measures, which was promulgated on December 28, 2021 and became effective on February 15, 2022, and replaced the Cybersecurity Review Measures promulgated on April 13, 2020, online platform operator holding more than one million users/users' individual information shall be subject to cybersecurity review before listing abroad. Since the Cybersecurity Review Measures is new, the implementation and interpretation thereof is not yet clear. We do not expect to be subject to the cybersecurity review in connection with our offerings as it is unlikely that our offerings belongs to "listing in a foreign country" as defined in the Cybersecurity Review Measures and we currently hold in aggregate less than twenty thousand users' individual information and it is very unlikely that we will reach the threshold of one million users' individual information in the near future as we are a B2B platform where our registered users are substantially small and medium-sized enterprises. And as of the date of this Annual Report, we have not been informed by any PRC governmental authority of any requirement that we file for approval for our offerings. On August 17, 2021, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Protection of the Security of Critical Information Infrastructure, or the Regulations, which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Regulations supplement and specify the provisions on the security of critical information infrastructure as stated in the Cybersecurity Review Measures. The Regulations provide, among others, that protection department of certain industry or sector shall notify the operator of the critical information infrastructure in time after the identification of certain critical information infrastructure. On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC, or the Personal Information Protection Law, which took effect in November 2021. As the first systematic and comprehensive law specifically for the protection of personal information in the PRC, the Personal Information Protection Law provides, among others, that (i) an individual's consent shall be obtained to use sensitive personal information, such as biometric characteristics and individual location tracking, (ii) personal information operators using sensitive personal information shall notify individuals of the necessity of such use and impact on the individual's rights, and (iii) where personal information operators reject an individual's request to exercise his or her rights, the individual may file a lawsuit with a People's Court. Given that the above mentioned newly promulgated laws, regulations and policies were recently promulgated or issued, their interpretation, application and enforcement are subject to substantial uncertainties. See "- Risk Factor - We may be liable for improper use or appropriation of personal information provided by our customers" from page 30 and "- Risk Factors - We are required to complete filing procedures with the CSRC in connection with future offerings, it is uncertain whether such filing can be completed or how long it will take to complete such filing." on page 26 of this Annual Report. On July 7, 2022, the CAC promulgated the Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures, which became effective on September 1, 2022. According to the Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures, to provide data abroad under any of the following circumstances, a data processor shall declare security assessment for its outbound data transfer to the CAC through the local cyberspace administration at the provincial level: (i) where the data processor will provide important data abroad; (ii) where CIIO or the data processor processing the personal information of more than one million individuals will provide personal information abroad; (iii) where the data processor who has provided personal information of 100,000 individuals or sensitive personal information of 10,000 individuals in total abroad since January 1 of the previous year, will provide personal information abroad; and (iv) other circumstances where the security assessment is required as prescribed by the CAC. Prior to declaring security assessment for outbound data transfer, the data processor shall conduct self-assessment on the risks of the outbound data transfer. For outbound data transfers that have been carried out before the effectiveness of the Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures, if it is not in compliance with these measures, rectification shall be completed within six months starting from September 1, 2022. Hjet Shuntong, a PRC subsidiary of our WFOE, collects names and phone numbers of contact persons from our customers in order to fulfill their orders. By years of operation, as of October 9, 2024, Hjet Shuntong accumulated information of names and phone numbers of approximately 12,255 PRC individuals, a substantial portion of which is no longer active nor can be verified. The personal data Hjet Shuntong possesses is kept and maintained by Hjet Shuntong within mainland China. Our B2B online platforms www.iczoomex.com, which is held by ICZOOM HK, and www.iczoom.com, which is held by ICZOOM Shenzhen, collect name and phone number of a contact when a customer registers with either platform. As of June 30, 2024, had collected names and phone numbers of approximately 378 PRC individuals and ICZOOM Shenzhen had collected names and phone numbers of approximately 11,877 PRC individuals. The Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures does not clearly state whether collection of personal information from PRC individuals by an offshore entity shall be deemed as outbound data transfer, therefore, there remains uncertainty whether such measures shall be applied to ICZOOM HK. Even such measures apply to ICZOOM HK, considering that (i) we do not collect a large amount of personal information from PRC individuals, which is far less than either 100,000 individuals' personal information and it is very unlikely that we will reach threshold of 100,000 individuals' personal information in the near future as we are a B2B platform where our registered users are substantially SMEs, and (ii) personal information collected by us are mainly the names and phone numbers of the contacts of our registered users, which is less likely to be deemed as sensitive personal information and is less likely to have a bearing on national security, economic operation, social stability, public health and security, thus it may not be classified as important data by the authorities, we understand, as concurred by our prior PRC counsel, Jingtian & Gongcheng in March 2024, the management reasonably believes that that the security assessment for cross-border data transfer is less likely applicable to us to date. However, as advised by our prior PRC counsel, Jingtian & Gongcheng, since the Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures are new, there remain substantial uncertainties about their interpretation and implementation, the specific applicability of the Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures still subject to further interpretation of the PRC authorities. As of the date of this Annual Report, we have not received any penalty, investigation or warning with respect to our business operation from the CAC, nor have we received any notice or instructions from the CAC requiring us to declare a security assessment. Furthermore, as of the date of this Annual Report, implementation rules for the rectification requirements have not been issued and we have not started rectifications. We will continually monitor our compliance status in accordance with the latest developments in applicable regulatory requirements. If it is determined in the future that we are required to declare a security assessment, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to complete such declaration or rectification. We also face risks relating to our previous corporate structure. If the PRC government deems that our previous Contractual Arrangements with the consolidated VIEs domiciled in China did not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties retroactively.

On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a document to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. Since this document is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our future business, results of operations, and the value of our securities. Further, Chinese government continues to exert more oversight and control over Chinese technology firms. On July 2, 2021, Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced, that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) and two days later ordered that the company's application be removed from smartphone application stores. On July 5, 2021, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator launched the same investigation on two other Internet platforms, China's Full Truck Alliance of Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YMM) and Boss of KANZHUN LIMITED (Nasdaq: BZ). Therefore, China Securities Regulatory Commission and other Chinese government agencies may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based issuers, especially those in the technology field. As of the date of this Annual Report, except that a filing should be made with the CSRC within three business days after an offering is completed in the future, if any, we have not received any requirement to obtain approval of CSRC to our offerings. Further, however, given the current regulatory environment in the PRC, we are still subject to the uncertainty of interpretation and enforcement of the rules and regulations in the PRC, which can change quickly with little advance notice and are subject to any future actions of the PRC authorities. Additional compliance procedures may be required in connection with future offerings and our business operations. If such compliance procedures were required in the future in connection with any offerings and our business operations, and, if required, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval. If we are unable to obtain such permission, we may be forced to abandon offerings. As a result, we face uncertainty about future actions by the PRC government that could significantly affect our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless. Following the termination of the VIE arrangement in December of 2021, we operate our B2B platform through www.iczoomex.com. Our new platform has substantially the same features and functions as the platform prior to the termination of the VIE arrangement which, among others, enables us to collect, optimize and present product offering information from suppliers. Uncertainties exist regarding whether Hong Kong companies are subject to the new Cybersecurity Review Measures, and ICZOOM HK as the operator of our online platform may be subject to PRC laws relating to the use, sharing, retention, security, and transfer of confidential and private information, such as personal information and other data. These laws continue to develop, and the PRC government may adopt other rules and restrictions in the future. Non-compliance could result in penalties or other significant legal liabilities. The Cybersecurity Law, which was adopted by the National People's Congress on November 7, 2016 and came into force on June 1, 2017, and the Cybersecurity Review Measures, or the "Review Measures," which were promulgated on April 13, 2020, amended on December 28, 2021 and became effective on February 15, 2022, provide that personal information and important data collected and generated by a critical information infrastructure operator in the course of its operations in China must be stored in China, and if a critical information infrastructure operator purchases internet products and services that affect or may affect national security, it should be subject to cybersecurity review by the CAC. In addition, a cybersecurity review is required where critical information infrastructure operators, or the "CIIOs," purchase network-related products and services, which products and services affect or may affect national security. Due to the lack of further interpretations, the exact scope of what constitutes a "CIIO" remains unclear. Further, the PRC government authorities may have wide discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of these laws. In addition, Review Measures stipulates that online platform operator holding more than one million users/users' individual information shall be subject to cybersecurity review before listing abroad. Cybersecurity Review Measures does not provide a definition of "online platform operator", therefore, we cannot assure you that ICZOOM WFOE will not be deemed as an "online platform operator." As of the date of this Annual Report, we have not received any notice from any authorities identifying us as a CIIO or requiring us to undertake a cybersecurity review by the CAC. Further, as of the date of this Annual Report, we have not been subject to any penalties, fines, suspensions, investigations from any competent authorities for violation of the regulations or policies that have been issued by the CAC. On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress promulgated the Data Security Law which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law requires that data shall not be collected by theft or other illegal means, and it also provides that a data classification and hierarchical protection system. The data classification and hierarchical protection system protects data according to its importance in economic and social development, and the damages it may cause to national security, public interests, or the legitimate rights and interests of individuals and organizations if the data is falsified, damaged, disclosed, illegally obtained or illegally used, which protection system is expected to be built by the state for data security in the near future. On November 14, 2021, CAC published the Regulations on the Network Data Security Management (Draft for Comments), or the Data Security Management Regulations Draft to solicit public opinion and comments. Under the Data Security Management Regulations Draft, which provides that an overseas initial public offering to be conducted by a data processor processing the personal information of more than one million individuals shall apply for a cybersecurity review. Data processor means an individual or organization that independently makes decisions on the purpose and manner of processing in data processing activities, and data processing activities refers to activities such as the collection, retention, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure, or deletion of data. We may be deemed as a data processor under the Data Security Management Regulations Draft. Notwithstanding the foregoing, even if we are deemed as an online platform operator under the Cybersecurity Review Measures or a data processor under the Data Security Management Regulations Draft, we do not expect to be subject to the cybersecurity review in connection with an offering because it is unlikely that our future offerings would belong to "listing in a foreign country" as defined in the Cybersecurity Review Measures and we hold aggregate less than twenty thousand users' individual information and it is very unlikely that we will reach threshold of one million users' individual information in the near future as we are a B2B platform where our registered users are substantially SMEs. However, the Data Security Management Regulations Draft has not been formally adopted. It is uncertain when the final regulation will be issued and take effect, how it will be enacted, interpreted or implemented, and whether it will affect us. There remains uncertainty as to how the Review Measures and the Data Security Management Regulations Draft will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the Review Measures and the Data Security Regulations Draft. If any such new laws, regulations, rules, or implementation and interpretation come into effect, we expect to take all reasonable measures and actions to comply. We cannot assure you that PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, would take the same view as we do, and there is no assurance that we can fully or timely comply with such laws should they be deemed applicable to our operations. Any cybersecurity review could also result in negative publicity with respect to our Company and diversion of our managerial and financial resources. There is no certainty as to how such review or prescribed actions would impact our operations and we cannot guarantee that any clearance can be obtained or any actions that may be required for our listing on the Nasdaq capital market and the offering as well can be taken in a timely manner, or at all. Our Hong Kong subsidiary ICZOOM HK currently operate a B2B online trading platform, primarily engaged in sales of electronic component products to customers in China, where our customers can register as members first, and then use the platform to search for or post quotes for their desired electronic component products. By utilizing latest technologies, our platform collects, optimizes and presents product offering information from suppliers of all sizes, all transparent and available to our SME customers to compare and select. According to the Personal Information Protection Law issued by Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the PRC on August 20, 2021, where the purpose of the activity is to provide a product or service to that natural person located within China, such activity shall comply with the Personal Information Protection Law. Further, the Data Security Law provides that where any data handling activity carried out outside of the territory of China harms the national security, public interests, or the legitimate rights and interests of citizens or organizations of China, legal liability shall be investigated in accordance with such law. However, the Personal Information Protection Law and the Data Security Law are relatively new, there remains uncertainty as to how the laws will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the two laws. It is uncertain whether our Hong Kong subsidiary ICZOOM HK shall comply with the aforesaid laws. The regulatory requirements with respect to cybersecurity and data privacy are constantly evolving and can be subject to varying interpretations, and significant changes, resulting in uncertainties about the scope of our responsibilities in that regard. Failure to comply with the cybersecurity and data privacy requirements in a timely manner, or at all, may subject us to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension or disruption of our operations, among other things. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Government Regulation - Regulations on Internet Information Security and Privacy Protection" starting on page 89 of this Annual Report.

The SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice, or the DOJ, and other U.S. authorities often have substantial difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against non-U.S. companies such as us, and non-U.S. persons, such as our directors and executive officers in the PRC. Due to jurisdictional limitations, matters of comity and various other factors, the SEC, the DOJ and other U.S. authorities may be limited in their ability to pursue bad actors, including in instances of fraud, in emerging markets, such as the PRC. We conduct our operations mainly in the PRC and our assets are mainly located in the PRC. There are significant legal and other obstacles for U.S. authorities to obtain information needed for investigations or litigation against us or our directors, executive officers (except one independent director) or other gatekeepers in case we or any of these individuals engage in fraud or other wrongdoing. In addition, local authorities in the PRC may be constrained in their ability to assist U.S. authorities and overseas investors in connection with legal proceedings. As a result, if we, our directors, executive officers or other gatekeepers commit any securities law violation, fraud or other financial misconduct, the U.S. authorities may not be able to conduct effective investigations or bring and enforce actions against us, our directors, executive officers (except one independent director) or other gatekeepers. Therefore, you may not be able to enjoy the same protection provided by various U.S. authorities as it is provided to investors in U.S. domestic companies.

Our business is subject to intense regulation, and we are required to hold a number of licenses and permits in connection with our business operation, for example Fillings Form for Customs Declaration Entity. We hold all material licenses and permits described above. As of the date of this Annual Report, we have not received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary action from the relevant governmental authorities regarding the conducting of our business without the material approvals, certificates and permits. However, we cannot assure you that we can renew any of the licenses and permits in a timely manner when their current term expires. New laws and regulations may be enforced from time to time to require additional licenses and permits other than those we currently have. If the PRC government deems us as operating without proper approvals, licenses or permits, promulgates new laws and regulations that require additional approvals or licenses or impose additional restrictions on the operation of any part of our business, we may be required to apply for additional approvals, license or permits, or subject to various penalties, including fines, termination or restrictions of the part of our business or revoking of our business licenses, which may adversely affect our business and materially and adversely affect our business, financial conditions and results of operations.

Products we sell may be subject to U.S. export controls, specifically the Export Administration Regulations, and economic sanctions enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. These regulations provide that certain products may be exported outside of the U.S. only with the required export authorizations, including by license, license exception or other appropriate government authorizations. Furthermore, U.S. export control laws and economic sanctions prohibit the shipment of certain products and services to countries, governments, and persons targeted by U.S. sanctions. The potential penalties for violations of the Export Administration Regulations include a monetary fine of up to US$250,000 or twice the value of the transaction, whichever is greater, for any violation and/or a denial of export privileges under the Export Administration Regulations. Although we did not have any penalty assessed against us, we cannot ensure you that we will not be found to be in violation of such export laws in the future, despite the precautions we take, especially if such laws change. If we fail to comply with these laws, we may be adversely affected by reputational harm or loss of access to certain markets.

On March 15, 2019, the National People's Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020. Along with the Foreign Investment Law, the Implementing Rules of Foreign Investment Law promulgated by the State Council and the Interpretation of the Supreme People's Court on Several Issues Concerning the Application of the Foreign Investment Law promulgated by the Supreme People's Court became effective on January 1, 2020. Since the Foreign Investment Law and its current implementation and interpretation rules are relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to their further application and improvement. According to the Foreign Investment Law, "foreign investment" refers to investment activities carried out directly or indirectly by foreign natural persons, enterprises, or other organizations, or "foreign investors," including the following: (i) foreign investors establishing foreign-invested enterprises in China alone or collectively with other investors; (ii) foreign investors acquiring shares, equities, properties, or other similar rights of Chinese domestic enterprises; (iii) foreign investors investing in new projects in China alone or collectively with other investors; and (iv) foreign investors investing through other ways prescribed by laws, regulations, or guidelines of the State Council. The Foreign Investment Law grants national treatment to foreign-invested entities, except for those foreign-invested entities that operate in industries specified as either "restricted" or "prohibited" from foreign investment in a "negative list". It is unclear whether the "negative list" to be published pursuant to the Foreign Investment Law will differ from the current Special Administrative Measures for Market Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2021 Version). The Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign-invested entities operating in "restricted" industries will require market entry clearance and other approvals from relevant PRC government authorities. As of the date hereto, the current business activities of our PRC subsidiaries are not in the "negative list", and foreign investors are allowed to hold 100% equity interests of our PRC subsidiaries under the Foreign Investment Law. We have no plans at the present to change our PRC subsidiaries' business activities in the future. However, it is uncertain whether we will engage in business activities that are in the "negative list" in the future, and whether the "negative list" will be amended in the future.

On June 30, 2020, the Standing Committee of the PRC NPC adopted the Hong Kong National Security Law. This law defines the duties and government bodies of the Hong Kong National Security Law for safeguarding national security and four categories of offences - secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or external elements to endanger national security - and their corresponding penalties. On July 14, 2020, the former U.S. President Donald Trump signed the HKAA, into law, authorizing the U.S. administration to impose sanctions against foreign individuals and entities who are determined by the U.S. administration to have materially contributed to the failure to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy. On August 7, 2020 the U.S. government imposed HKAA-authorized sanctions on eleven individuals, including Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam (as she then was, now John Lee who is also on the sanctioned list). On October 14, 2020, the U.S. State Department submitted to relevant committees of Congress the report required under HKAA, identifying persons materially contributing to "the failure of the Government of China to meet its obligations under the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law." The HKAA further authorizes secondary sanctions, including the imposition of blocking sanctions, against foreign financial institutions that knowingly conduct a significant transaction with foreign persons sanctioned under this authority. The imposition of sanctions may directly affect the foreign financial institutions as well as any third parties or customers dealing with any foreign financial institution that is targeted. It is difficult to predict the full impact of the HKAA on Hong Kong and companies located in Hong Kong. If our Hong Kong subsidiary is determined to be in violation of the Hong Kong National Security Law or the HKAA, our business operations, financial position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the PRC. Following British colonial rule from 1842 to 1997, China assumed sovereignty under the "one country, two systems" principle. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's constitutional document, the Basic Law, ensures that the current political situation will remain in effect for 50 years. Hong Kong has enjoyed the freedom to function with a high degree of autonomy for its affairs, including currencies, immigration and customs operations, and its independent judiciary system and legislative system. On July 14, 2020, the United States signed an executive order to end the special status enjoyed by Hong Kong post-1997. Any compromise on the autonomy of Hong Kong may have an adverse effect in our business and operations in Hong Kong. We cannot predict the effect of future developments in the Hong Kong legal system, including the promulgation of new laws or national laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof. Furthermore, due to the long arm provisions under the current PRC laws and regulations, the PRC government may exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business and may intervene in or influence our operations at any time. It is possible that all the legal and operational risks associated with having operations in the PRC may also apply to operations in Hong Kong.

In July 2014, SAFE has promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents' Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Residents' Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75, which ceased to be effective upon the promulgation of SAFE Circular 37. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents (including PRC individuals and PRC corporate entities as well as foreign individuals that are deemed as PRC residents for foreign exchange administration purpose) to register with SAFE or its local branches in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment activities. SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the SAFE registrations in the event of any changes with respect to the basic information of the offshore special purpose vehicle, such as change of a PRC individual shareholder, name and operation term, or any significant changes with respect to the offshore special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contribution, share transfer or exchange, or mergers or divisions. SAFE Circular 37 is applicable to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may be applicable to any offshore acquisitions that we make in the future. If any PRC shareholder who makes direct or indirect investments in offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPV, fails to make the required registration or to update the previously filed registration, the subsidiaries of such SPV in China may be prohibited from distributing its profits or the proceeds from any capital reduction, share transfer or liquidation to the SPV, and the SPV may also be prohibited from making additional capital contribution into its subsidiary in China. On February 13, 2015, the SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13, which became effective on June 1, 2015. Under SAFE Notice 13, applications for foreign exchange registration of inbound foreign direct investment and outbound overseas direct investment, including those required under the SAFE Circular 37, will be filed with qualified banks instead of the SAFE. The qualified banks will directly examine the applications and accept registrations under the supervision of the SAFE. We have requested our shareholders that we know are PRC residents and hold direct or indirect interests in us to make the necessary applications, filings and amendments as required under SAFE Circular 37 and other related rules. To our knowledge, Ms. Duanrong Liu, our COO, completed the initial foreign exchange registration. However, we cannot guarantee that all or any of those shareholders will complete the SAFE Circular 37 registration before the closing of our offerings. In addition, we may not at all times be fully aware or informed of the identities of all our beneficial owners who are PRC residents, and we may not always be able to compel our beneficial owners to comply with the SAFE Circular 37 requirements. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents will at all times comply with, or in the future make or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE Circular 37 or other related regulations. Failure by any such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE Circular 37 could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiary's ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects. Furthermore, as the interpretation and implementation of these foreign exchange regulations has been constantly evolving, it is unclear how these regulations, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant governmental authorities. For example, we may be subject to a more stringent review and approval process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign-currency-denominated borrowings, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the foreign exchange regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.

As of the date of this Annual Report, we or our subsidiaries have not received any requirement to obtain permission or approval from CSRC or Cyberspace Administration of China for the prior VIE's operation. Except as disclosed in this Annual Report, based on our understanding of the current PRC laws, regulations and rules, except that a filing should be made with the CSRC within three business days after an offering is completed in the future, if any, we believe we and our subsidiaries are currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC authorities to issue our securities to foreign investors, and we and our subsidiaries have received all requisite permissions and approvals for the company's business operation currently conducted in China, nor have we or our subsidiaries received any denial for the company's business operation currently conducted in China. However, recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the "Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law," or the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies, and cybersecurity and data privacy protection requirements and similar matters. The Opinions and any related implementing rules to be enacted may subject us to compliance requirement in the future. Given the current regulatory environment in the PRC, we are still subject to the uncertainty of interpretation and enforcement of the rules and regulations in the PRC, which can change quickly with little advance notice, and any future actions of the PRC authorities. It is uncertain when and whether the Company will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges or enter into VIE agreements (including retroactively) or with future offerings, and even if such permission is obtained, whether it will be rescinded. As a result, our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to our business or industry.