Us bans foreign-made routers over security fears

The US government has prohibited the import and sale of consumer-grade routers manufactured outside the country, citing national security and cybersecurity risks. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) claims that allowing foreign-made routers to dominate the US market poses unacceptable threats to the economy, national security, and digital safety.

Routers linked to past cyber attacks

The FCC points to the involvement of foreign-made routers in high-profile cyber attacks, including Volta, Flax, and Salt Typhoon, which targeted critical US infrastructure such as communications, energy, transportation, and water systems.

Under the new rule, foreign manufacturers must obtain conditional approval to legally bring their products into the US. This could prompt some brands to start producing routers domestically to avoid restrictions or simply stop selling in the US market altogether, as Chinese drone maker DJI did recently.

Existing router owners in the US will not be affected by the ban and can continue using their devices without issue. However, future consumers will face limited options if they want to purchase new routers, potentially leading to a decline in competition and innovation in the US router market.