Multiple US government agencies, including the Commerce, Justice and Defense departments, are investigating TP-Link’s routers for links to China-backed cyberattacks, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports. It is said that the US Department of Commerce has reportedly issued a subpoena to the company as part of its inquiry.
In September, WSJ reported on a wave of Chinese cyberattacks that exploited TP-Link routers in the US. The attacks targeted a range of entities, including government organisations, Defense Department suppliers, non-governmental organisations and think tanks, raising national security concerns.
The publication added that TP-Link holds a dominant 65% share of the US router market for small businesses and homes, with its devices also used by the Department of Defense and NASA. However, sources claim the routers often ship with unresolved security vulnerabilities, and the company has allegedly been unresponsive to the security community’s concerns.
These investigations could pave the way for a potential ban on TP-Link routers as early as next year. If enacted, it would mark the most significant removal of Chinese telecom equipment from the US market since the Huawei ban in 2019.
In response, a TP-Link spokesperson told WSJ that the company is willing to engage with the US government to showcase compliance with industry security standards. They emphasised their commitment to the US market, consumers, and addressing national security concerns.
(Source: WSJ)
