The US government is reportedly considering a sweeping ban on TP-Link routers amid growing national security concerns surrounding the Chinese-origin networking brand. According to The Washington Post, several federal agencies including the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and Defense have been backing a potential move by the Commerce Department to restrict the brand’s products from the US market.
Sources familiar with the matter told the publication that a months-long interagency review took place over the summer, following investigations into the company that began as early as last year. Officials are said to be worried that TP-Link, despite restructuring in 2022 to operate independently from its former China-based parent company, still remains susceptible to Chinese laws requiring cooperation with intelligence agencies. This, they argue, could allow China‘s authorities to compel the company to distribute malicious software updates or share sensitive user data.
TP-Link has rejected the allegations, maintaining that its US-based operations are not influenced by Chinese authorities. A company spokesperson insisted that “any adverse action against TP-Link would have no impact on China, but would harm an American company,” adding that TP-Link Systems in the US “is not subject to the direction of the PRC intel apparatus.”
Despite the recent development in trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing, it is said that the potential ban reportedly remains under consideration. Sources told The Washington Post that the issue could serve as a bargaining chip for the Biden administration in future talks with China.
(Source: The Washington Post)
