US authorities are reportedly considering banning TP-Link Technology Co, a Chinese maker of home internet routers, over national security concerns. This development comes in the wake of allegations that TP-Link routers were linked to cyberattacks, according to a report by the TP-Link Foundation. Wall Street Journal.
In August, two US lawmakers urged the Biden administration to investigate TP-Link over concerns that its WiFi routers could be used as a weapon in cyberattacks targeting US governments and companies. The audit calls align with separate investigations launched by the Departments of Commerce, Defense and Justice, with a potential ban on the sale of TP-Link routers in the US as early as 2025.
The investigations include subpoenas from the Commerce Department and an ongoing review by the Department of Defense, which began earlier this year. Concerns about vulnerabilities in TP-Link grew after the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency identified a vulnerability in 2023 that could allow remote code execution.
The potential action against TP-Link is part of broader US efforts to reduce cybersecurity risks associated with Chinese technology. Authorities fear Beijing could exploit Chinese-made routers for cyberespionage, citing a previous hacking campaign known as “Volt Typhoon,” which involved China-linked actors using compromised routers to hide attacks on critical U.S. infrastructure.
Requests for comment from TP-Link, the Department of Commerce and other agencies remained unanswered.