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TP-Link routers, one of the most popular brands on Amazon, have attracted the attention of the US authorities due to possible threats to the country’s critical infrastructure. According to CNBC, cybersecurity experts fear that these devices could be used by the Chinese government for cyberattacks or theft of confidential information.
US Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthy and John Moolenaar, in a letter to the Commerce Department last summer, highlighted the “unusual vulnerability” of TP-Link routers under Chinese law that could require companies to cooperate with the Beijing government. The letter, quoted by the Wall Street Journal, said the routers could have been used in cyberattacks on the United States.
“We cannot allow such devices to become another access point for the Chinese government,” Krishnamurthy said, adding that the US should consider banning TP-Link similar to the restrictions imposed on Huawei equipment in 2020.
TP-Link denies the allegations, stressing that most of its routers for the US are manufactured in Vietnam, not China. In addition, the company expressed its readiness to cooperate with federal authorities to prove the safety of its products.
However, a congressional committee report has recommended that TP-Link routers be banned from use in the federal sector, especially in defence and other sensitive agencies.
Cybersecurity experts also warn about the risks for ordinary users. Matt Radolets from Varonis stressed the need to inform the public about the threats associated with unencrypted communication on such devices.
The potential ban on TP-Link could start with government agencies and then gradually spread to other sectors. In the meantime, consumers are urged to be careful when choosing routers and pay attention to their security.
