U.S. Lawmakers Urge Probe Into TP-Link Routers

Two U.S. lawmakers are urging the Biden administration to investigate TP-Link Technology Co, a leading Chinese WiFi router manufacturer, due to concerns that the company’s products could pose national security risks. Representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi, who lead the House Select Committee on China, sent a letter to the U.S. Commerce Department requesting a probe into potential vulnerabilities in TP-Link’s routers. These routers, widely used in both small office and home office environments, have previously been exploited in cyberattacks targeting government officials in European countries.

TP-Link, the top global seller of WiFi routers by unit volume, has been under scrutiny due to known firmware vulnerabilities that could be exploited for cyber espionage or cyberattacks against the U.S. The lawmakers’ letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized the need to verify the potential threats posed by routers manufactured by TP-Link, calling it a “glaring national security issue.”

The U.S. Commerce Department has broad authority to restrict transactions with companies from “foreign adversary” nations, including China, if their products are deemed a security risk. The call for an investigation comes amid growing concerns that Beijing could exploit Chinese-made technology for cyberattacks on American infrastructure.

The Chinese Embassy responded to the concerns, urging authorities to base any decisions on concrete evidence rather than speculation. TP-Link, founded in 1996 and based in Shenzhen, has not yet commented on the situation.

This push for an investigation follows revelations of Chinese government-linked hacking campaigns and vulnerabilities in TP-Link routers that could be used to execute remote code or target foreign officials, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China in the realm of cybersecurity.

Source: Reuters

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