Officials in the US are considering banning TP-Link internet routers over national security concerns due to their repeated links to Chinese cyber attacks. Investigators from the Commerce, Defense and Justice departments have begun investigating the company, according to wall street journalTP-Link has reportedly been subpoenaed by an office of the Commerce Department.
WSJ The report says that US authorities may ban the sale of TP-Link routers within the country next year. Responsibility for the action taken against TP-Link is likely to fall on the incoming Trump administration.
TP-Link holds about 65 percent of the U.S. router market for homes and small businesses, and its Internet communications products are used by the Department of Defense and other federal government agencies. The company's market dominance is at least partly driven by the extremely low cost of its routers. The US Justice Department is investigating whether TP-Link sells products below production cost in violation of a law prohibiting monopolistic attempts. WSJ,
WSJ'Sources also say that TP-Link often fails to address security flaws that are regularly flagged in routers shipped to customers. A spokesperson of TP-Link's California-based business unit gave this information. WSJ The company assesses potential security risks and takes action to resolve known vulnerabilities. In October, Microsoft unveils a network Compromised network devices, mostly manufactured by TP-Link, are regularly targeted by hacking campaigns linked to the Chinese government.
The spokesperson said, “We welcome any opportunity to engage with the U.S. government to demonstrate that our security practices are fully consistent with industry security standards, and protect the U.S. market, U.S. consumers, and U.S. national security risks.” demonstrate our ongoing commitment to address.” said in a statement WSJ,