U.S. Lawmakers Urge Americans to Ditch Chinese-Made TP-Link Routers Over Security Risks

WASHINGTON, March 5 (Reuters) – A U.S. congressional committee is warning Americans to replace Chinese-made wireless routers, including those manufactured by TP-Link, citing national security concerns. Lawmakers argue that these devices pose a cyber threat that could allow China to infiltrate U.S. critical infrastructure.

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has urged the Commerce Department to investigate TP-Link Technology Co., the world’s leading WiFi router manufacturer by unit volume, according to research firm IDC. Media reports indicate that U.S. authorities are considering banning the sale of TP-Link routers nationwide.

Congress Sounds the Alarm on TP-Link

During a committee hearing on Wednesday, Rob Joyce, former NSA Cybersecurity Director, emphasized the potential risks posed by TP-Link routers. He warned that these devices could serve as backdoors for hackers to gain access to American networks and, in turn, critical infrastructure.

“We need to all take action and replace those devices so they don’t become the tools that are used in the attacks on the U.S.,” Joyce said.

He also noted that the Commerce Department may soon take action against TP-Link, further elevating the stakes for American consumers and businesses relying on the company’s routers.

TP-Link Pushes Back, Denies Security Threats

TP-Link has dismissed the concerns raised in the hearing, asserting that there is no evidence linking the company to the Chinese government.

In a statement to Reuters, TP-Link said:

“No government has access to or control over the design and production of our routers.”

Jeff Barney, President of TP-Link Systems Inc., further defended the company, calling allegations about TP-Link’s national security risk “baseless and without merit.” He also noted that TP-Link has severed ties with its former China affiliate and now manufactures its products in Vietnam.

Lawmakers Call for Action Against Chinese Cyber Threats

During the hearing, Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi urged Americans to avoid using TP-Link routers, holding up one of the company’s consumer-grade devices as a visual warning.

“Don’t use this,” Krishnamoorthi said. “I don’t have one at home either. It’s not a good idea.”

Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Shontel Brown criticized the Trump administration’s past cybersecurity policies, noting that more than 130 cybersecurity officials were laid off from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) during that time.

Joyce also highlighted growing concerns over China’s cyber capabilities, stating that Chinese hackers are now “approaching a peer status” with U.S. cyber forces.

Hacking Back: A New Cybersecurity Strategy?

The hearing also sparked debate over whether the U.S. should go on the offensive against cyber threats from China. Krishnamoorthi floated a controversial idea—enlisting private sector experts to “hack back” at Chinese cybercriminals.

“I think that we should also consider potentially enlisting private sector actors to hack back at the hackers. I’m going to get in a lot of trouble for saying that, but I think you have to sometimes use fire against fire,” he said.

This suggestion is likely to raise legal and ethical questions, as retaliatory cyber operations by private actors currently fall into a gray area under U.S. law.

Ongoing Cybersecurity Concerns

TP-Link routers have previously been flagged for security vulnerabilities. In 2023, CISA warned that some TP-Link routers contained a vulnerability that could allow attackers to execute remote code, a serious security flaw that could be exploited by hackers.

With tensions between the U.S. and China continuing to rise in the cyber domain, lawmakers are increasingly prioritizing security measures to protect American networks. If the Commerce Department moves forward with an official ban on TP-Link routers, it could mark another significant step in the ongoing U.S. effort to counter potential cyber threats from China.

Check out the story here – https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-congressional-committee-china-urges-americans-ditch-tp-link-routers-2025-03-05

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