U.S. Lawmakers Warn Against TP-Link Routers, Citing Security Threats

A U.S. congressional committee has urged Americans to remove Chinese-made TP-Link routers from their homes, warning they pose cybersecurity risks. The House Select Committee on China is pushing the Commerce Department to investigate TP-Link, the world’s top seller of WiFi routers by unit volume, amid concerns over potential hacking threats to critical infrastructure.

Rob Joyce, former cybersecurity director at the NSA, testified that TP-Link devices could expose users to cyber intrusions, potentially allowing hackers to target vital U.S. systems. "We need to replace those devices so they don’t become tools for attacks on the U.S.," Joyce said, adding that a federal ban is under consideration.

TP-Link refuted the allegations, stating there is no evidence linking the company to the Chinese government. The company emphasized that no government controls its router design or production and highlighted its recent manufacturing shift to Vietnam.

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi reinforced security concerns, advising Americans not to use TP-Link routers. Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts have raised alarms over growing threats from Chinese hackers, warning they are approaching parity with U.S. cyber capabilities.

Concerns over national security intensified after the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) identified a vulnerability in TP-Link routers in 2023, which could be exploited for remote code execution.

Krishnamoorthi suggested a more aggressive cybersecurity approach, even proposing that private sector entities counterattack foreign hackers. "Sometimes you have to use fire against fire," he said.

With U.S. authorities considering a ban, TP-Link users may need to rethink their router choices to ensure data security.