TP-Link, the Chinese company that dominates the U.S. router market, is under investigation by federal agencies over national security concerns. The company supplies routers to homes, businesses, and even federal agencies, including the Defense Department, but has been linked to cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Microsoft reported in October that compromised TP-Link devices were used in cyberattacks by Chinese hackers targeting Western governments and organizations. Federal authorities allege that TP-Link frequently ships routers with security flaws and has not worked to fix them.
BREAKING: @FBI Director Christopher Wray announcement live at our hearing:
“Just this morning we announced an operation where we and our partners identified hundreds of routers that had been taken over by the PRC state-sponsored hacking group known as Volt-Typhoon.” pic.twitter.com/XhLVB3jMHm
— Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (@committeeonccp) January 31, 2024
The Biden administration’s probe into TP-Link intensified after breaches by hacking group Salt Typhoon, although the routers were not directly implicated. The Commerce Department has subpoenaed TP-Link as part of its ongoing investigation.
Sources: US officials are investigating Chinese router maker TP-Link, which has an estimated 65% US market share, and could ban the sale of its routers in 2025 (Wall Street Journal)https://t.co/BGj7zjtyeUhttps://t.co/uUfnKh32LIhttps://t.co/ZOzeer2dpR
— Techmeme (@Techmeme) December 18, 2024
TP-Link’s routers are popular due to their low prices, often undercutting competitors by half. Critics argue that the company’s affordability has come at the expense of security. Federal officials are now considering banning TP-Link devices, a move that would echo the 2019 Huawei ban.
US could ban Chinese-made TP-Link routers over hacking fears: report https://t.co/4dsdky4qDk pic.twitter.com/YtJi9MhIVh
— New York Post (@nypost) December 18, 2024
BREAKING: FBI says it has taken down a large botnet of malware installed by Chinese hackers on hundreds of routers inside the US in an effort to get access to infrastructure. FBI says it used search and seizure warrants to remotely delete the malware-without notifying device… pic.twitter.com/5uUbsKn8dX
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 31, 2024
The company has stated it is committed to working with federal authorities to address security concerns. Meanwhile, a Chinese embassy spokesperson accused the U.S. of unfairly targeting Chinese businesses, describing the allegations as politically motivated.
Any action against TP-Link is likely to be handled by the incoming Trump administration, which has indicated plans to take a tougher approach to China.
