TP-Link routers could be banned in the U.S. starting next year.
This well-known and affordable brand of routers is facing criticism from the U.S. government due to its potential connection to cyberattacks.
Washington is conducting an investigation into TP-Link, the most popular router brand in the home market, due to its possible connections to China-backed cyberattacks. The Departments of Justice, Defense, and Commerce are involved in this inquiry, which includes issuing a subpoena to the company.
Reportedly, this investigation could lead to a ban on the router brand starting next year, as the attacks have affected suppliers of the Department of Defense, government organizations, NGOs, and think tanks. The measure would represent a significant blow to TP-Link, which currently controls about 65% of the U.S. market and is used by entities such as the Department of Defense and NASA.
Additionally, it is mentioned that despite security flaws in its devices, TP-Link continues to ship routers to its customers, while the company has shown resistance to addressing these concerns. However, a spokesperson for the brand stated that they are open to cooperating with the U.S. government to demonstrate that their security practices meet industry standards and reaffirm their commitment to the market and consumers in the U.S.
If the router ban is implemented, it would be one of the largest withdrawals of Chinese telecommunications equipment in the U.S. since the Trump administration banned Huawei Technologies in 2019. Over the years, the affordable prices of some TP-Link routers have made them an attractive option, and their more advanced models are considered among the best Wi-Fi routers available, at least before this news became known.
Regardless of future events, users have the option to protect their Wi-Fi networks and keep their router firmware updated to eliminate potential vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.