FCC bans new foreign-made routers over rising US cybersecurity threats nationwide – Interesting Engineering

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With foreign manufacturers dominating the market, U.S. regulators are tightening control over the devices connecting homes and networks.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has moved to block the import of new foreign-made consumer routers, escalating Washington’s push to secure domestic networks from potential cyber threats.
The decision targets devices that connect homes and businesses to the internet, a critical layer of modern infrastructure.
Officials say the move follows a security review coordinated by the White House.
That review flagged imported routers as a high-risk entry point for cyberattacks.
The new order stops future imports but does not affect devices already in use across the country.
Regulators say this approach avoids disruption for current users while tightening controls on future network equipment entering the U.S. market.
The FCC says foreign-made routers pose a direct threat to U.S. systems.
The agency warned that such devices could act as weak points in national infrastructure.
It said imported routers present “a severe cybersecurity risk ⁠that could be leveraged to immediately and severely disrupt U.S. critical infrastructure.”
Officials added that attackers have already used these vulnerabilities in real-world operations.
They linked the concerns to major cyber campaigns, including Volt and Salt Typhoon.
The agency said malicious actors had exploited security gaps in foreign-made routers “to attack households, disrupt networks, enable espionage, and facilitate intellectual property theft.”
Experts have long warned that routers sit at the edge of every connected environment.
That position makes them an attractive target for persistent access and large-scale disruption.
China plays a major role in the U.S. router market.
Estimates suggest Chinese-linked manufacturers supply at least 60% of consumer routers used in American homes.
Lawmakers have raised concerns about this dependency for years.
They argue that reliance on foreign hardware creates systemic risks and limits domestic control over critical digital infrastructure.
Representative John Moolenaar welcomed the FCC’s decision.
He framed it as a national security measure tied to broader geopolitical tensions.
“Today’s tremendous decision by the FCC and the Trump ‌administration protects ⁠our country against China’s relentless cyberattacks and makes it clear that these devices should be excluded from our critical infrastructure,” Moolenaar said, as quoted by Reuters.
He added, “Routers are key to keeping us all connected and we cannot allow Chinese technology to be at the center of that.”
The order includes a narrow exemption.
The Pentagon can approve certain routers if it determines they do not pose unacceptable risks.
At the same time, legal pressure is building against major manufacturers.
Last month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against TP-Link Systems.
The lawsuit accuses the company of deceptive marketing practices.
It also alleges that its devices allowed unauthorized access tied to Beijing.
TP-Link rejected those claims and said it would “vigorously defend” its reputation.
The company stated that the Chinese government has no ownership or control over its operations, products, or user data.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington has not issued a response.
The FCC’s decision signals a sharper turn in U.S. tech policy.
It reflects growing concern over supply chain security, data integrity, and foreign influence in critical technologies.
Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.
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