FCC Blocks New Foreign-Made Internet Routers
The Trump administration is moving to obstruct new foreign-made internet routers from entering the U.S. market, largely over national security concerns linked to Chinese brands like TP-Link.
Recently, the Federal Communications Commission updated its “target list,” which now includes all consumer-grade routers produced outside the U.S. This update effectively prohibits the sale of new models unless they pass rigorous national security evaluations.
Officials have cautioned that “malicious actors are exploiting security gaps in foreign routers to attack American homes, disrupt networks, enable espionage, and facilitate the theft of intellectual property.”
This recent decision will not impact routers that are already in use or previously approved models. However, it could significantly hinder the influx of new devices in a market that heavily relies on foreign manufacturing.
TP-Link, China’s top-selling router brand on Amazon, has come under increased scrutiny following several cyberattacks that raised alarms in Washington.
Moreover, the broad scope of this policy might ensnare U.S. companies that manufacture overseas as well.
For instance, companies like Cisco and Netgear produce all their hardware outside the United States, underscoring the industry’s deep dependency on global supply chains.
“We applaud the government and the FCC for their actions toward a more secure digital future for the American people,” said a spokesperson from Netgear.
Netgear highlighted its U.S. foundation and commitment to security-first design, emphasizing ongoing efforts to comply with government regulations.
The Post reached out to both TP-Link and Cisco for their perspectives on the matter.
Cybersecurity expert Joseph Steinberg expressed a broader concern: “If you don’t have control over the hardware, you don’t know what backdoors are in there.” He noted that the threats extend beyond software weaknesses to vulnerabilities in the physical components of devices.
Steinberg, who teaches at Columbia University and has been alerting about cyber risks from China for many years, shared that there have been instances where hardware was compromised. He emphasized that consumers often underestimate the dangers linked to where and how devices are manufactured.
Routers, which connect various devices to the Internet, are especially enticing targets for hackers due to their critical role in both home and business networks.
Steinberg mentioned that “a very large percentage of network-related hacks are caused by insecure consumer networking products.” The uptick in cyber risks was further accelerated when millions shifted to remote work during the pandemic, typically relying on outdated or poorly maintained home networks.
“I think many people don’t update their settings. They might not even have it set to update automatically,” he explained, emphasizing the lack of maintenance for devices. This oversight leaves vulnerable devices open to exploitation and potential hijacking for larger cyberattacks.
He added, “A million people might have vulnerable cameras online, which, if hacked, could form a zombie network for attacks.”
“Connecting insecure hardware to the internet essentially threatens everyone else,” he warned.
Federal officials have pointed to recent cyberattacks, including operations known as Bolt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon, which targeted U.S. infrastructure in 2024-2025 and are suspected to be linked to hackers associated with the Chinese government.
The FCC contends these events demonstrate how compromised networks can infiltrate or sabotage critical systems.
With the new regulations, companies that produce routers abroad will need to obtain conditional approval before introducing new models to the U.S. This entails revealing foreign ownership, supply chain details, and plans to relocate production domestically.
Waivers may be available if the Department of Defense or Homeland Security deems a specific device secure.
