The US has banned new foreign-made consumer internet routers over national security concerns.
In an update on Monday to a list of equipment seen as not secure enough for use, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added all consumer-grade routers made outside the US.
This measure places routers, used extensively to connect devices to the internet, on par with foreign-made drones, which were banned last year.
Malicious actors have exploited security gaps in foreign-made routers to attack American households, disrupt networks, enable espionage, and facilitate intellectual property theft, the FCC stated.
Consumers can continue using foreign-made routers they already own, but the ban affects all new models.
The FCC has raised alarms regarding the potential vulnerabilities of routers, which have been identified as easy targets for cyber threats.
Notable instances include concerns over TP-Link, a best-selling router brand manufactured in China, which faced scrutiny following several cyberattacks.
New routers manufactured abroad must receive FCC approval before entering the US market, requiring companies to disclose foreign investments and future plans for US-based manufacturing.
Products may be exempted if they are cleared by the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security, although specifics have not yet been established.
This decision corresponds with past evaluations identifying foreign-made routers as presenting significant risks, possibly impacting the supply chain and increasing cybersecurity threats.
Furthermore, the FCC noted that malicious access to routers has played a role in recent cyberattacks on US infrastructure, with investigations linking these actions to foreign entities.
The majority of internet routers are produced outside the US, predominantly in Taiwan and China, including well-known brands like Netgear.
One exception is the newer Starlink WiFi router, claimed to be manufactured in Texas by Elon Musk's SpaceX.
