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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.

U.S. Lawmakers Call for Scrutiny of Baicells, Chinese Telecom Firm

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Baicells, a Chinese telecom hardware manufacturer founded by former Huawei employees, is facing heightened scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers over national security concerns. John Moolenaar, the top Republican on the House Select Committee on China, emphasized the need for rigorous government oversight of Baicells, citing potential cyber vulnerabilities in the company’s products. He warned that any presence of such companies in U.S. networks, particularly in sensitive areas, should raise significant national security alarms.

Despite Baicells’ reassurances that its products do not pose security risks, the company is under investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The company has provided base stations and routers to more than 700 U.S. networks, including those near military installations. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has flagged Baicells’ firmware for cyber vulnerabilities, further raising concerns.

Baicells’ chairman, Sun Lixin, defended the company by stating that all tech companies, regardless of their size, continuously release updates to address security vulnerabilities. He also expressed willingness to cooperate with U.S. inquiries.

The scrutiny of Baicells is part of a broader concern in Washington over the potential for Chinese-linked companies to compromise U.S. telecommunications networks. U.S. officials have warned that China-linked suppliers, including state-backed hacking groups like “Volt Typhoon,” could exploit network vulnerabilities for espionage.

Democratic leaders in Congress, including Frank Pallone and Mark Warner, have called for greater accountability and quicker responses to national security risks posed by foreign adversaries in U.S. telecom networks. They argue that focusing on individual companies without addressing systemic risks is insufficient to protect critical infrastructure.

 

Tech Group Urges U.S. to Halt AI Chip Export Restrictions Amid Growing Concerns

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A coalition of tech companies, including Amazon (AMZN.O), Microsoft (MSFT.O), and Meta (META.O), has urged the Biden administration to reconsider a pending rule that would restrict global access to AI chips. The rule, which could be finalized as soon as Friday, is viewed by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) as a threat to U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.

The proposed rule, backed by the U.S. Commerce Department, aims to regulate AI chip exports to prevent adversaries, particularly China, from gaining access to advanced technologies that could enhance their military capabilities. While the restrictions are framed as a national security measure, industry leaders argue that they could hinder U.S. companies’ ability to compete globally and inadvertently benefit foreign competitors.

In a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, ITI CEO Jason Oxman expressed concerns about the rushed nature of the rule. Oxman warned that implementing such a consequential policy at the end of President Biden’s term could result in unforeseen consequences, damaging the U.S.’s competitive edge in the rapidly growing AI sector.

The group called for a more measured approach, recommending that any new regulations be introduced as a proposed rule rather than a final one. They stressed the importance of considering the broader geopolitical and economic impact, which could jeopardize the U.S.’s position in global AI development.

The anticipated rule has sparked strong opposition within the tech industry, with the Semiconductor Industry Association and Oracle executives voicing their concerns. Oracle’s executive vice president, Ken Glueck, criticized the measure, describing it as an overly broad regulation that would impact nearly all commercial cloud computing globally.

The Commerce Department and the White House have yet to respond publicly to the mounting criticism, but the issue continues to garner significant attention from both industry leaders and policymakers as the Biden administration enters its final days.