Washington: The United States has taken steps to block the sale and import of new consumer-grade internet routers manufactured outside the country, in a significant move aimed at enhancing cybersecurity and protecting national infrastructure.
The decision was announced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which updated its list of equipment deemed insecure. The move effectively requires all new foreign-made routers to undergo strict approval before entering the US market.
Routers, essential devices that connect homes and businesses to the internet, are now being treated as high-risk equipment. The FCC said malicious actors have exploited vulnerabilities in such devices to launch cyberattacks, disrupt networks, conduct espionage, and steal intellectual property.
FACT SHEET: FCC Updates Covered List to Include Foreign-Made Consumer Routers
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While the ban does not affect routers already in use, it applies to all new device models manufactured abroad. Companies seeking to sell such devices in the US must now apply for conditional approval, disclose foreign ownership or influence, and present plans to shift manufacturing to the United States.
The crackdown follows mounting concerns within the US government over the past year that routers represent an easy access point for cyber intrusions. Investigations into recent cyber campaigns, dubbed Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon, found that compromised routers played a role in targeting US infrastructure between 2024 and 2025.
Authorities have linked these attacks to actors associated with the Chinese government, further intensifying scrutiny of overseas technology supply chains. Chinese brand TP-Link, a top-selling router manufacturer, had already come under political and security scrutiny after a wave of cyber incidents last year.
Despite the ban, exemptions may be granted. Devices approved by the Department of Defence or the Department of Homeland Security could still be allowed, although no specific models have yet been cleared.
The move also highlights a structural challenge, most routers sold in the US are manufactured overseas, particularly in countries like China and Taiwan. Even US-based companies such as Netgear rely on foreign production facilities.
One notable exception is the WiFi router developed by Starlink, part of SpaceX, which the company says is manufactured in Texas. The FCC’s decision follows a broader national security review that concluded foreign-made routers pose unacceptable risks, including threats to supply chains and the possibility of large-scale cyber disruptions.
The policy marks a significant escalation in the US government’s efforts to secure digital infrastructure, as geopolitical tensions and cyber threats continue to reshape global technology rules.
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