The FCC Just Banned the Sale of New Wi-Fi Router Models Made Outside US
PCMag • • general
Key Points:
- The FCC has banned the sale of any new Wi-Fi routers not made in the US, citing national security concerns over foreign supply chain vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers and state-sponsored cyberattacks.
- The order updates the FCC's blacklist to include all consumer-grade routers produced abroad, blocking their FCC certification and importation for sale in the US, though existing routers already owned or previously approved models remain unaffected.
- The ban extends beyond Chinese brands like TP-Link to all foreign-made routers, including those produced in Taiwan and Vietnam, affecting major providers such as Netgear, unless they obtain exemptions by demonstrating plans to manufacture in the US.
- The FCC's decision is based on a national security determination from the Trump administration, highlighting risks from foreign-made routers involved in past cyberattacks targeting US infrastructure, though no specific evidence of deliberate backdoors is cited.
- Industry reactions vary, with Netgear supporting the move as enhancing security, while TP-Link notes that nearly all routers are made overseas and expresses confidence in its supply chain, acknowledging the broad impact on the router industry.
