Federal authorities are considering prohibiting the sale of TP-Link internet routers in the United States due to mounting cybersecurity worries, according to recent reports.
The investigation involves multiple federal agencies, including the Commerce, Defense, and Justice departments, who are examining whether the Chinese-manufactured networking devices pose risks to national security. A potential ban could take effect as early as next year.
The scrutiny comes after Microsoft revealed in October that Chinese government-backed hackers had compromised numerous TP-Link routers as part of a broader cyber attack campaign. According to Microsoft's analysis, these compromised devices were used to target users of its Azure cloud service.
TP-Link has established a strong market presence in the US, with its products being widely used in homes, small businesses, and even some federal government facilities, including military bases. The company's routers are among the top-selling networking devices on Amazon.com.
Members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party have expressed particular concern, noting in an August 2024 letter that TP-Link products are present on US military installations and are sold through military exchange stores.
In response to these developments, TP-Link defended its security practices, stating they align with US industry standards. "We implement rigorous secure product development and testing processes, and take timely and appropriate action to mitigate known vulnerabilities," a company spokesperson said.
Beyond security concerns, the Justice Department is also investigating whether TP-Link's pricing practices comply with federal competition laws, specifically examining if the company's notably low prices violate anti-monopoly regulations.
The potential ban reflects growing tensions between the US and China over technology and national security matters, with President-elect Trump indicating plans for stricter measures against Chinese-made products in his upcoming term.