TP-Link problems in US grow amid FCC router ban and four state lawsuits
TP-Link is facing coordinated lawsuits from four US states (Florida, Montana, Iowa, Nebraska) alleging the company misled consumers about its ties to China and the security risks of its routers. This comes as TP-Link remains unable to sell its latest Wi-Fi 8 routers in the US following an FCC ban on consumer routers made wholly or partly outside America, whilst rivals like Netgear and Asus have obtained exemptions from the Trump administration. The lawsuits matter because Chinese state-sponsored hackers have previously exploited TP-Link routers, raising genuine national security concerns.
TP-Link relocated its headquarters from China to California in October 2024 amid investigations into attacks linked to the Chinese government, including a botnet composed mostly of TP-Link routers. The company claims its routers are manufactured in Vietnam and that it is independent from foreign governments, but the lawsuits argue this is misleading, citing an April 2025 Bloomberg report stating that only 0.5% of component value comes from Vietnam, with all other inputs imported from China. The states are seeking injunctions, restitution for consumers, and financial penalties. TP-Link's corporate affairs officer dismissed the suits as "coordinated lawsuits built on false premises" that "unfairly penalise an industry-leading US company."
- TP-Link sued by four states over deception about China ties and router security
- TP-Link banned from selling new routers in US; rivals gained exemptions from FCC
- TP-Link claims Vietnam manufacturing but critics say components sourced from China
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TP-Link manufactures Wi-Fi routers and networking equipment used by millions of American households. Hackers linked to the Chinese government previously exploited TP-Link routers in cyberattacks, raising national security concerns about whether the company's Chinese connections and supply chain pose risks to consumers.
The US Federal Communications Commission has banned consumer routers made wholly or partly outside America in response to these security concerns. TP-Link cannot sell its latest products under this ban, whilst competitors such as Netgear and Asus have obtained exemptions from the Trump administration. The company moved its headquarters from China to California in October 2024 as scrutiny increased.
TP-Link says its routers are manufactured in Vietnam and that it operates independently. Multiple US states have filed lawsuits alleging the company has misled consumers, contending its supply chain remains heavily dependent on Chinese components. The company disputes the allegations.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
TP-Link's strongest argument emphasises that it has relocated its headquarters to California and operates independently from foreign governments, whilst pointing out that being subject to coordinated multi-state litigation even as competitors received exemptions raises concerns about selective and potentially unfair enforcement. The company contends that its Vietnamese manufacturing combined with globally-sourced components follows standard industry practice, and that complex modern supply chains should not trigger penalties applied inconsistently across the sector.
The case against
The most compelling case against TP-Link holds that describing routers as Vietnam-manufactured when 99.5% of component value originates in China represents material deception affecting consumer purchasing decisions. Given the documented history of Chinese state-sponsored exploitation of TP-Link routers specifically, consumers deserve truthful information about supply chain and security risks, and regulatory enforcement serves legitimate consumer protection purposes regardless of exemptions granted to other companies through different processes.