Chinese Wi-Fi Router Vendor Draws US Congressional Ire
Two congressmen want the US Commerce Department to examine the company's goods and decide if they pose a threat.
![A TP-link wi-fi extender plugged into a wall socket A TP-link wi-fi extender plugged into a wall socket](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt6d90778a997de1cd/blt4fb07317d35f6d5c/66c4ff39ec700a20a652aa9b/tplink1800_Stephen_Frost_alamy.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale)
There's a growing threat from Chinese Wi-Fi routers manufactured by TP-Link Technologies in the US, and two Congressional representatives are calling for an investigation.
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party have called on the Department of Commerce to examine the company and verify the threat.
TP-Link is the world's largest provider of Wi-Fi products and is the leading Wi-Fi router provider in the US. The routers are made in the People's Republic of China (PRC), where the company is based, raising concerns that this makes it easier for state-sponsored hackers to compromise the routers and infiltrate US systems.
In addition to these concerns, TP-Link is subject to national security laws by the PRC, requiring Chinese vendors to submit sensitive data to Chinese intelligence officials.
"TP-Link's unusual degree of vulnerabilities and required compliance with PRC law are in and of themselves disconcerting," stated the letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. "When combined with the PRC government's common use of SOHO [small office/home office] routers like TP-Link to perpetrate extensive cyberattacks in the United States, it becomes significantly alarming."
The two lawmakers are requesting a threat assessment and mitigation plan from Secretary Raimondo by the end of August.
About the Author
You May Also Like
State of AI in Cybersecurity: Beyond the Hype
October 30, 2024[Virtual Event] The Essential Guide to Cloud Management
October 17, 2024Black Hat Europe - December 9-12 - Learn More
December 10, 2024SecTor - Canada's IT Security Conference Oct 22-24 - Learn More
October 22, 2024