US Investigates TP-Link Routers for Security Risks
According to The Wall Street Journal, US authorities have launched investigations into whether TP-Link routers pose a potential national security risk, with the possibility of a ban being considered.
The Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Justice are leading separate probes into TP-Link, a dominant player in the US router market. TP-Link routers are widely popular, accounting for roughly 65% of household and small business networks in the US, and are even utilized by government agencies, including the Department of Defense.
The concern stems from security vulnerabilities in TP-Link devices and their connection to past cyberattacks. For example, last month, thousands of TP-Link routers were reportedly leveraged in a cyberattack against Microsoft’s Azure cloud service, with hackers suspected of having ties to the Chinese government.
Should a ban be implemented, it could take effect as early as next year. In response, a TP-Link spokesperson stated, “We welcome any opportunity to work with the US government to demonstrate that our security practices meet industry standards and reflect our commitment to US customers and the management of national security risks.”
