US Agencies Support Ban on TP-Link Routers Over Security Concerns

Multiple U.S. federal agencies, including the Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, Justice, and Defense, support a proposal to ban future sales of TP-Link routers due to national security concerns linked to the company's ties to China. TP-Link Systems, based in California but spun off from the Chinese company TP-Link Technologies, is accused of potentially providing Chinese intelligence agencies access to sensitive user data, although the company strongly disputes these allegations and asserts its commitment to secure products. This potential ban follows months of risk assessment and could become one of the largest consumer product bans in U.S. history, given TP-Link's dominance in the U.S. market and its widespread distribution through ISPs. If enacted, the ban could cause significant market disruptions, including shortages and increased prices for networking devices. The Commerce Department has not yet finalized a decision and may negotiate with TP-Link or opt not to enforce the ban. Experts advise users to remain vigilant about home network security regardless of the outcome.