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Our Favorite Wi-Fi Routers Are Facing a Federal Ban. Here's Why
**The holiday season is upon us, and for many of us, that means it's time to upgrade our home networking setup. But if you're planning on purchasing a new Wi-Fi router, you might want to think twice. The US government has been investigating TP-Link, one of the most popular router brands in the market, over concerns that its products pose a potential spying and hacking risk due to their ties to China.
For at least a year now, US officials and lawmakers have been raising alarms about TP-Link's Chinese connections. More recently, The Washington Post reported that several agencies, including the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Defense, have backed the Commerce Department's proposed ban on TP-Link products. This development has cleared the way for the Commerce Department to initiate the ban process.
If the Commerce Department takes action, it will notify TP-Link, which will then have 30 days to respond. After that, the agency has 30 more days to consider any objections before making the ban official. In a surprising move, the Commerce Department has concluded that nothing short of a ban against TP-Link will suffice, citing the company's ties to China as a national security threat.
The reason for this ban isn't just about theoretical concerns; it's also based on practical fears. US officials are worried that the Chinese government could secretly compel TP-Link to assist in spying on or infiltrating American communications or companies. While there is no direct evidence of such spying, the agency has expressed concerns that TP-Link's routers are insecure and could be easily compromised by hackers.
TP-Link has dismissed these security concerns as unfounded and based on misinformation. The company points out that its US router sales are handled through a separate entity called TP-Link Systems in Irvine, California, which was spun off from the Chinese counterpart in 2022. "As a US company, no foreign country or government—including China—has access to or control over the design and production of our products," TP-Link Systems told us in May.
However, this hasn't convinced US officials. The Commerce Department has stated that it is concerned about the potential risks associated with using TP-Link's routers, and a ban is seen as the only way to mitigate these risks. It's worth noting that PCMag continues to recommend certain TP-Link products, despite the concerns raised by US officials.
So why hasn't the Commerce Department acted on this proposal yet? One reason might be the ongoing trade talks between the US and China. A deal was announced on November 1, which could have contributed to a delay in implementing the ban. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: the battle for control over our home networks is heating up.
But this isn't an isolated issue. A similar controversy is playing out with the popular social media app TikTok, which has been accused of collecting data from its users and potentially sharing it with the Chinese government. As we navigate these complex issues, one thing becomes clear: our digital lives are becoming increasingly intertwined with geopolitics.
As we continue to rely on technology to connect us, communicate with each other, and access information, we need to be mindful of the risks associated with using products from companies with ties to foreign governments. The debate over TP-Link's ban is a prime example of how these concerns can play out in real life.