https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/us-ban-china-router-tp-link-systems-7d7507e6
The U.S. government is investigating TP-Link, a leading manufacturer of home routers, over concerns about national security risks. This investigation could potentially lead to a ban on the sale of TP-Link routers in the United States.
Key Concerns:
- Cybersecurity Risks: A significant portion of a large botnet used by Chinese threat actors consists of TP-Link routers. These compromised devices are used to launch attacks against U.S. networks.
- Potential Backdoors: Concerns have been raised about the possibility of backdoors or vulnerabilities in TP-Link routers that could be exploited by Chinese intelligence.
- Anti-competitive Practices: The U.S. government is also investigating potential anti-competitive practices by TP-Link, including selling routers below cost to gain market share.
Government Action:
- Investigation Underway: The Departments of Justice, Commerce, and Defense are investigating TP-Link.
- Potential Ban: A ban on the sale of TP-Link routers in the U.S. is being considered.
- Subpoena Issued: The Commerce Department has already issued a subpoena to the company.
Impact:
- Widespread Use: A ban on TP-Link routers would have a significant impact on the U.S. market, as the company holds a substantial market share.
- Government Agencies Affected: The investigation has revealed that TP-Link routers are present on the networks of several government agencies, including the Defense Department, NASA, and DEA.
Broader Context:
This investigation comes amid growing concerns about the security of telecommunications equipment from Chinese companies. The U.S. government has already banned the sale of equipment from several Chinese companies, including Huawei and ZTE, due to national security concerns.