Federal Agencies May Ban These Popular Wi-Fi Routers.
The security of a popular brand of Wi-Fi routers is under scrutiny by several federal agencies, and these devices may be pulled from store shelves in the US in the future. According to the Washington Post , the US Department of Commerce has proposed banning TP-Link Systems routers, a move that has already received support from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Defense.
What’s the problem with TP-Link?
The proposal reportedly stems from security concerns surrounding routers sold by TP-Link Systems, a California-based company spun off from China’s TP-Link Technologies. Commerce Department officials warned that these devices handle sensitive data and could be susceptible to interference from the Chinese government.
For example, there are concerns that TP-Link is obligated to provide information to Chinese intelligence agencies and the central government, which, in turn, could lead to forced software updates that could compromise user data. (It’s important to note that the American company TP-Link Systems disputes this, stating that only American engineers can install patches on devices belonging to American customers.)
The interagency review of TP-Link began under the Biden administration, and this isn’t the first action taken by the federal government against tech companies with foreign ties. In June 2024, the US Department of Commerce banned the sale of antivirus software from the Russian company Kaspersky Lab to American consumers.
Does this affect my TP-Link router?
Furthermore, the proposal under consideration could result in a ban on future sales of TP-Link Systems routers to customers in the United States. Existing TP-Link devices have been subject to malicious attacks and zero-day vulnerabilities , including one that allowed complete system takeover .
Of course, most internet-connected devices are vulnerable to hackers , and while some security experts express caution about TP-Link, there’s no clear recommendation to immediately throw out the router. Instead, you should continue to follow security best practices for protecting your home network, such as changing default login credentials, enabling security features like a firewall and encryption, and regularly updating your device’s firmware. If you really need to buy a new router , for example, if you’re no longer leasing one from your internet service provider, it’s worth considering a different brand.
By some estimates, TP-Link home routers account for up to half the market in the US (although others cite much lower figures ). Many of these devices are sold or leased through internet service providers.