The U.S. Investigates Chinese Router Manufacturer TP-Link

Suspected of facilitating hacking operations allegedly sponsored by China, these devices dominate 65% of the consumer and small business router market in the United States.

On December 18, 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States had launched multiple investigations into the Chinese router manufacturer TP-Link. In late October 2024, Microsoft uncovered a botnet comprising thousands of devices created by cybercriminals linked to China. “SOHO routers manufactured by TP-Link constitute the majority of this network,” stated the Redmond-based company at the time.

Washington is now seeking to ensure that these devices do not inherently contain vulnerabilities exploitable by hackers working under Beijing’s orders. The potential consequences are severe: TP-Link holds 65% of the U.S. market for consumer and small business routers and 17.8% of the global WLAN device market.

More than 300 internet service providers worldwide offer TP-Link routers as default equipment. Some U.S. government agencies, including NASA, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), and the Department of Defense, reportedly use equipment from the Chinese manufacturer.

Additionally, TP-Link is said to sell some of its routers at prices below production costs. This uneconomical pricing strategy raises questions in the current climate of suspicion. According to The Wall Street Journal, if the investigation confirms a tangible risk, Washington may ban the Chinese brand from its territory as early as 2025.