TP-Link Faces Potential US Ban Amid Ongoing National Security Concerns

Following the ongoing TikTok US ban debacle, TP-Link emerges as a prime candidate for similar treatment. A letter signed by two US congressmen last summer urged a ban on TP-Link devices, citing "unusual vulnerabilities" linked to Chinese cyberattacks.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois representative since 2017, recently voiced his continued concerns to CNBC, emphasizing the perceived threat to national security posed by TP-Link devices. "I am not aware of any plans to get them out," he stated. "The PRC has every intent to collect this data on Americans and they will, why give them another backdoor?"

TP-Link reportedly holds approximately 65% of the US market share for home and small business routers. Similar national security concerns previously led the US government to ban the sale and import of telecom equipment manufactured by Huawei, another China-based communications provider.

"I am wondering whether something similar needs to be done, at least in regards to national security agencies, Department of Defense, and Intelligence," Krishnamoorthi said. "It just doesn't make sense for the US government to be buying the routers."

These renewed calls follow the revelation of a massive telecom hack, described as the "worst in the nation's history." The FBI and CISA identified a China-linked hacking group dubbed "Salt Typhoon" as the perpetrators, who exploited backdoors in existing communication equipment to infiltrate US telecom networks.

The attack, initially believed to have targeted high-profile individuals through the Verizon network, was later found to be much more widespread. The widespread use of TP-Link routers and their alleged vulnerabilities raises further concerns.

However, enforcing a "rip and replace" policy similar to that implemented against Huawei products could prove challenging given the aging infrastructure and equipment from multiple manufacturers that comprise the US telecom network.

"I would not buy a TP-Link router," Krishnamoorthi asserted. "I would not have that in my home."