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.
