The Federal Communications Commission prohibited imports of all new consumer-grade routers manufactured outside the US, effective immediately. This action updates a list of equipment deemed insecure, placing routers alongside foreign-made drones that faced a ban late last year.
The decision was made by the Federal Communications Commission, citing security gaps that malicious actors have exploited in foreign-made routers. The agency cited involvement in cyberattacks known as Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon, which targeted US infrastructure from 2024 to 2025 and linked to actors working for the Chinese government. Routers now require FCC approval before import, sale, or marketing in the country to prevent espionage and intellectual property theft.
Malicious access to routers could disrupt networks and harm people, according to a summary from government agencies focused on national security. The ban follows findings that overseas routers pose risks to the US supply chain, including potential attacks on infrastructure. TP-Link, a China-based brand that leads Amazon sales, drew political scrutiny last year amid a series of cyberattacks, underscoring the vulnerabilities in popular devices.
Companies producing routers abroad must disclose foreign investors and submit plans to shift manufacturing to the US for conditional approval. Netgear, a US company that manufactures all its products overseas, will feel the effects despite its domestic design. The vast majority of internet routers assemble in places like Taiwan or China, forcing firms to adapt operations and potentially delay new product launches.
Certain routers may avoid the ban if the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security deems them acceptable, though neither agency has listed exceptions yet. Starlink routers from Elon Musk's SpaceX, manufactured in Texas, offer one US-made option that bypasses the restrictions. This shift could encourage more domestic production, giving consumers alternatives amid the import limits.
People can continue using existing foreign-made routers, but the ban on new models means limited choices for upgrades in homes and businesses.
The Federal Communications Commission prohibited imports of all new consumer-grade routers manufactured outside the US, effective immediately. This action updates a list of equipment deemed insecure, placing routers alongside foreign-made drones that faced a ban late last year. American households may face higher costs for networking devices as most routers come from abroad, potentially disrupting access to affordable internet tools.
FCC chairman Brendan Carr led the decision, pointing to security gaps that malicious actors have exploited in foreign-made routers. The agency cited involvement in cyberattacks known as Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon, which targeted US infrastructure from 2024 to 2025 and linked to actors working for the Chinese government. Routers now require FCC approval before import, sale, or marketing in the country to prevent espionage and intellectual property theft.
Malicious access to routers could disrupt networks and harm people, according to a summary from government agencies focused on national security. The ban follows findings that overseas routers pose risks to the US supply chain, including potential attacks on infrastructure. TP-Link, a China-based brand that leads Amazon sales, drew political scrutiny last year amid a series of cyberattacks, underscoring the vulnerabilities in popular devices.
Companies producing routers abroad must disclose foreign investors and submit plans to shift manufacturing to the US for conditional approval. Netgear, a US company that builds all its products overseas, will feel the effects despite its domestic design. The vast majority of internet routers assemble in places like Taiwan or China, forcing firms to adapt operations and potentially delay new product launches.
Certain routers may avoid the ban if the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security deems them acceptable, though neither agency has listed exceptions yet. Starlink routers from Elon Musk's SpaceX, manufactured in Texas, offer one US-made option that bypasses the restrictions. This shift could encourage more domestic production, giving consumers alternatives amid the import limits.
People can continue using existing foreign-made routers, but the ban on new models means limited choices for upgrades in homes and businesses. Popular brands like those from Netgear affect millions of users who rely on routers to connect devices such as computers and TVs. The change might raise prices for networking equipment, affecting small businesses that depend on reliable internet for daily operations.
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The sources also report that the ban followed a decision on Friday by government agencies working on national security.