The US government is weighing a ban on a popular brand of home internet routers made in China over fears their links to cyberattacks pose a national security risk, according to a report.
TP-Link, the maker of high-speed cable modems, routers, range extenders and smart home devices that has grabbed a 65% market share in the United States, is the subject of several investigations being overseen by a number of federal agencies, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Departments of Commerce, Defense and Justice have all opened investigations into the company, people familiar with the matter told the Journal.
A ban on sales of TP-Link products could come sometime next year — after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, the Journal reported.
According to the report, a division of the Commerce Department has gone so far as to issue a subpoena to TP-Link.
According to the report, TP-Link is the top choice at Amazon and powers web communications for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
The company has gained market dominance in part through lower prices, as its routers are cheaper than competitors — often by more than half, according to market data.
Concerns about Chinese-made routers came to the fore in October when Microsoft released a cybersecurity report that revealed a network of hackers using compromised devices made by TP-Link.
The report alleged that China-based cybercriminals were using routers made by TP-Link to launch ransomware and other cyberattacks.
US government investigators believe TP-Link routinely fails to address vulnerabilities in its products shipped to customers using the routers for home and business purposes, according to the Journal.
Hackers are then able to exploit the vulnerabilities to carry out ransomware attacks and other cybercrimes, it said.
When cybersecurity experts point out flaws in TP-Link routers, the company refuses to engage with them, according to the Journal.
TP-Link is headquartered in Shenzhen, China, while maintaining a legal office based in California.
“We welcome any opportunity to engage with the US government to demonstrate that our security practices are fully compliant with industry security standards and to demonstrate our continued commitment to the US market, US consumers and addressing security risks.” of US national security,” an office. the spokeswoman told the Journal.
The Post has sought comment from TP-Link’s office.
The Biden administration’s ongoing concerns over Chinese-made technology and the potential threat it poses to American interests have fueled efforts to limit imports from the continent.
The federal government will launch a trade probe into Chinese semiconductors in the coming days — one that could result in tariffs or other measures on older-model chips and products that contain them, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. News.
In the past two years, the administration has restricted exports of advanced semiconductors made by American and allied technology to China.
China responded by producing older, cheaper semiconductors — prompting concern that they will flood the global market with cheap chips that will undercut U.S.-based and Western competitors, according to Bloomberg News.
In May, the Biden administration announced it would raise tariffs on old chips made in China from the current 25% rate to 50% by next year.
An embassy spokesman told the Journal that the US was using national security as a pretext to “suppress Chinese companies” and that Beijing would “resolutely protect” the interests of Chinese firms.
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