American authorities are considering banning sales of TP-Link routers due to national security concerns – it is believed that this equipment has been repeatedly used in cyber attacks organized by Chinese hackers. Investigations into TP-Link were initiated by the US Departments of Commerce, Defense and Justice; The Ministry of Trade also summoned company representatives to court, The Wall Street Journal writes.
Image source: tp-link.com
A ban on the sale of TP-Link routers may come into force next year, and it will be introduced by the Donald Trump administration. TP-Link has a 65% share of the consumer and small business router market in the United States; its communications equipment is used by the Department of Defense and other federal agencies across the country. The company’s market dominance is due in part to the extremely low cost of its products. The US Department of Justice is investigating whether TP-Link is selling products at a price below cost – this would be a violation of the law prohibiting attempts to monopolize the market.
Vulnerabilities are regularly discovered in TP-Link consumer routers, which the company often simply does not fix. In October, Microsoft said it had uncovered a network of compromised network devices, mostly under the TP-Link brand, that are regularly used by Chinese hackers in cyberattacks.
The manufacturer himself resolutely rejected such accusations. “We welcome any opportunity to collaborate with the U.S. government to demonstrate that our security practices are fully compliant with industry standards and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the U.S. market, U.S. consumers and addressing U.S. national security concerns,” said a spokeswoman for TP’s California division. -Link.