The United States is facing an increasing threat from Chinese Wi-Fi routers produced by TP-Link Technologies, leading two Congressional representatives to call for an investigation.
Representatives John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), members of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, have urged the Department of Commerce to scrutinize TP-Link and assess the potential risks.
As the largest provider of Wi-Fi products globally and a prominent Wi-Fi router supplier in the US, TP-Link’s routers are manufactured in the People’s Republic of China, sparking concerns about vulnerabilities that could be exploited by state-backed hackers to breach US systems.
Moreover, TP-Link is obliged to comply with national security regulations imposed by the Chinese government, mandating the submission of sensitive information to Chinese intelligence agencies.
In a letter addressed to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the lawmakers expressed unease over TP-Link’s susceptibility to cyber threats and its compliance with Chinese laws, especially considering the PRC’s history of using similar routers for cyberattacks in the US.
Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi have requested Secretary Raimondo to provide a threat assessment and mitigation strategy by the end of August.
