FCC Bans Imports of All Foreign-Made Consumer Routers Over Cybersecurity Risk

The Federal Communications Commission banned the import and sale of all foreign-manufactured consumer routers in the United States, citing national security concerns. The ban applies immediately to new imports and gives retailers a 90-day window to clear existing inventory. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said foreign-made routers present unacceptable risks of backdoor access and data exfiltration. The decision primarily affects Chinese manufacturers including TP-Link, which holds significant US market share. Industry groups warned the ban could raise consumer prices and create supply shortages.