US Congressional Panel Urges Americans to Ditch China-Made Routers

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A U.S. congressional committee has called for Americans to remove Chinese-made wireless routers, particularly those produced by TP-Link, citing national security concerns. The House of Representatives Select Committee on China warned that these devices could serve as entry points for Chinese hackers aiming to infiltrate U.S. critical infrastructure. The committee has also urged the Commerce Department to investigate TP-Link Technology Co., the world’s leading seller of Wi-Fi routers by volume, according to research firm IDC.

At a hearing on Wednesday, former NSA cybersecurity director Rob Joyce stated that TP-Link routers exposed users to cyber vulnerabilities, which could be exploited by hackers to launch attacks on U.S. infrastructure. He emphasized the need for action, suggesting that Americans replace these devices to prevent them from being used in cyberattacks. Reports have also surfaced that U.S. authorities are considering a potential ban on the sale of TP-Link routers.

In response, TP-Link denied any links to the Chinese government, asserting that no government controls the design or production of its products. The company further clarified that it had separated from its former Chinese affiliate and now manufactures routers in Vietnam. TP-Link’s president, Jeff Barney, described the committee’s claims as “baseless” and without merit.

During the hearing, Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi advised against using TP-Link routers, holding one up as an example. He echoed concerns about the growing sophistication of Chinese government-linked hackers, stating that they were approaching parity with U.S. cyber capabilities. Rep. Krishnamoorthi also proposed a more aggressive approach, suggesting the U.S. might need to enlist private companies to counteract hackers.

In 2023, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) identified a vulnerability in TP-Link routers that could be exploited to execute remote code. U.S. lawmakers have stressed the need for stronger cyber defenses and more proactive measures to deter Chinese hackers.

Judge Rejects Musk’s Bid to Halt OpenAI’s For-Profit Shift, Fast-Tracks Trial

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A U.S. judge has denied Elon Musk’s request for a preliminary injunction to pause OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit model. However, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, fast-tracked the case, scheduling a trial for the fall of this year. Musk, the co-founder of OpenAI, has been in a year-long legal dispute with the organization, accusing it of abandoning its original mission to develop artificial intelligence for the public good.

The judge determined that Musk did not meet the high legal threshold necessary to block OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model. However, she emphasized the importance of resolving the case swiftly due to the potential public interest and harm if the transition were deemed unlawful. OpenAI’s leaders, including CEO Sam Altman, have denied Musk’s claims, arguing that the for-profit move is essential for raising capital and staying competitive in the high-stakes AI sector.

Musk’s legal team expressed satisfaction with the judge’s decision to fast-track the trial, which they argue will clarify whether Altman knowingly accepted Musk’s charitable contributions under the assumption they would be used for public benefit. OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, has framed the lawsuit as a competition-related dispute, as Musk launched a rival AI company, xAI, in 2023.

The ruling follows Musk’s failed attempt to acquire OpenAI, which rejected his $97.4 billion buyout offer. OpenAI’s valuation has also seen significant growth, with reports indicating that SoftBank is considering a funding round that could value the company at $300 billion, far surpassing the valuation of Musk’s xAI, which has been reported at $75 billion.

Eutelsat Competes for Secure Satellite Telecoms Contract in Italy

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Eutelsat, a Franco-British satellite operator, is reportedly in discussions with the Italian government to provide secure satellite communication systems, a move that places it in direct competition with Elon Musk’s Starlink. The Italian government is seeking to ensure encrypted communications between officials, diplomats, and defense personnel working in high-risk areas. Sources close to the matter confirmed that Eutelsat, alongside Starlink, is being considered for the contract, which is critical to Italy’s national security.

The involvement of Eutelsat has not been previously disclosed, highlighting Europe’s desire to establish alternatives to Starlink, which currently dominates the satellite communication sector. This interest in European alternatives comes amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine, where Starlink’s role has become more contentious.

Eutelsat, which merged with OneWeb in 2023, operates a constellation of around 650 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. While its satellite network is smaller than Starlink’s 6,700 active satellites, Eutelsat’s shares have surged recently due to ongoing discussions with the European Union regarding internet access for Ukraine.

The company has confirmed its regular engagement with European governments to provide secure satellite communication services. However, Eutelsat declined to comment specifically on its talks with Italy, citing confidentiality.

The Italian government has expressed concerns about relying on foreign companies for sensitive national security contracts. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has faced criticism for considering Starlink, especially given its ties to Elon Musk, who is also a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. While no contract has been signed with Starlink, Italy is considering alternatives, including developing its own low-orbit satellites. However, progress on this front has been slow, with delays in the EU’s IRIS² satellite project.

Reports suggest that Italy may consider a deal with Starlink worth 1.5 billion euros ($1.61 billion) over five years, although no agreement has been finalized.