Federal Agencies Eye Ban On Chinese-Made Routers Over Security Concerns
Federal authorities are investigating TP-Link, the Chinese company that dominates the U.S. market for home and small business routers, over concerns its devices pose national security risks. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the Commerce, Defense and Justice Departments are examining TP-Link’s operations, with a potential ban on its routers under consideration.
TP-Link controls 65% of the U.S. router market, achieving this dominance largely by offering products at prices significantly lower than competitors. The company’s routers are widely used, from private homes to federal agencies, including the Defense Department. Despite their popularity, TP-Link devices have been linked to cyberattacks, raising alarms about vulnerabilities.
A Microsoft analysis in October revealed that a Chinese hacking organization had leveraged thousands of compromised TP-Link routers to launch cyberattacks against Western targets, including government agencies, defense contractors and NGOs. Investigators allege TP-Link frequently ships routers with security flaws and fails to collaborate with researchers to address identified vulnerabilities.
Sources familiar with the matter report that the Commerce Department has issued a subpoena to TP-Link, indicating increased scrutiny of the company’s practices. While no direct connection has been made between TP-Link devices and recent breaches of American telecom firms by the Chinese group Salt Typhoon, the Biden administration’s probes into the company have intensified in the wake of these incidents.
The Biden administration’s term ends in January, making it likely that any decision on TP-Link’s future in the U.S. market will fall to the incoming Trump administration, which has signaled a hardline stance on China. A ban would mirror the 2019 removal of Huawei Technologies components from U.S. infrastructure.
TP-Link has responded by asserting its commitment to industry security standards and U.S. national security interests. A company spokeswoman emphasized their willingness to engage with federal authorities to address concerns. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy accused the U.S. of using national security as a pretext to suppress Chinese businesses.
