Trending Now - FCC Enforces Ban on New Foreign-made Routers for Security Reasons

WHO:

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated, "Malicious actors have exploited security gaps in foreign-made routers to attack American households, disrupt networks, enable espionage, and facilitate intellectual property theft."

TP-Link is headquartered in Irvine, California, having been founded in China.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated, "This action means that new models of foreign-produced routers will no longer be eligible for marketing or sale in the US."

Netgear emphasized, "Home routers and mesh systems are critical to national security and consumer protection, and today’s decision is a step forward."

TP-Link noted, "virtually all routers are made outside the United States, including those produced by US-based companies like TP-Link, which manufactures its products in Vietnam."

The FCC is implementing the ban on foreign-made routers, affecting companies including TP-Link, Netgear, Eero, and Google Nest.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated, "This action means that new models of foreign-produced routers will no longer be eligible for marketing or sale in the US."

Netgear emphasized, "Home routers and mesh systems are critical to national security and consumer protection, and today’s decision is a step forward."

TP-Link noted, "virtually all routers are made outside the United States, including those produced by US-based companies like TP-Link, which manufactures its products in Vietnam."

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated, "This action means that new models of foreign-produced routers will no longer be eligible for marketing or sale in the US."

Netgear expressed support for the FCC's decision, stating, "We commend the Administration and the FCC for their action toward a safer digital future for Americans."

TP-Link noted, "virtually all routers are made outside the United States, including those produced by US-based companies like TP-Link, which manufactures its products in Vietnam."

The FCC is banning imports of new foreign-made consumer routers, affecting companies including TP-Link, NetGear, Eero, and Google Nest.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

President Trump (mentioned in relation to the White House's national security strategy)

Companies affected include TP-Link, NetGear, Eero, and Google Nest

WHAT:

The FCC's order prohibits the import of all new foreign-made consumer routers, designating them as a security risk.

The FCC's "Covered List" now includes "all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries," which are deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to national security.

The FCC's notice states that companies can import small batches of unauthorized devices for product development purposes, but cannot market or sell those.

The FCC's updated "covered list" now includes "all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries," designating them as a security risk.

The FCC's order prohibits the sale of any new Wi-Fi routers that are not US-made, citing national security concerns.

The FCC's notice states that previously purchased routers can still be used and sold, but new models from foreign manufacturers will not receive approvals.

The FCC's order blocks vendors from selling any new Wi-Fi routers that are manufactured, developed, or designed outside the US.

The FCC's updated "covered list" now includes "all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries," designating them as a security risk.

The FCC's order prohibits the sale of any new Wi-Fi routers that are not US-made, citing national security concerns.

The FCC's notice states that previously purchased routers can still be used and sold, but new models from foreign manufacturers will not receive approvals.

The FCC's order prohibits the sale of any new Wi-Fi routers that are not US-made, citing national security concerns.

The FCC updated its "covered list," which now includes "all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries."

The FCC's order blocks vendors from selling any new Wi-Fi routers that are manufactured, developed, or designed outside the US.

The FCC's notice states that companies can apply for conditional approval for new products from the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security.

The FCC's order prohibits the sale of any new Wi-Fi routers that are not US-made, citing national security concerns.

The FCC updated its "covered list," which now includes "all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries."

The FCC's order blocks vendors from selling any new Wi-Fi routers that are manufactured, developed, or designed outside the US.

China is estimated to control over 60% of the US market for home routers.

The FCC is banning the import of all new foreign-made consumer routers.

Routers manufactured outside the US are designated as a security risk and will be placed on the Covered List.

Previously approved routers can still be sold and used.

Routers on the Covered List can receive updates until at least March 1st, 2027.

WHERE:

United States

Manufacturing locations include regions like Taiwan.

WHEN:

The FCC's notice was released on Monday, March 23rd, 2026.

Routers on the Covered List can receive updates until at least March 1st, 2027.

The FCC's notice was released on Monday, March 23rd, 2026.

The deadline for routers on the Covered List to receive updates is March 1st, 2027.

WHY:

The FCC cited that foreign-made routers were involved in cyberattacks targeting vital US infrastructure, including the Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon attacks.

The FCC cited a “national security determination” issued by the Trump administration on March 20th, 2026, stating that foreign-made routers introduce “supply chain vulnerabilities” that hackers can exploit.

The FCC referenced that foreign-made routers were involved in cyberattacks targeting vital US infrastructure, including the Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon attacks.

The FCC issued a “national security determination” on March 20th, 2026, stating, “Routers in the United States must have trusted supply chains so we are not providing foreign actors with potential built-in backdoors to American homes, businesses, critical infrastructure, and emergency services.”

The FCC cited how hackers, including Chinese state-sponsored groups, have exploited vulnerabilities in consumer-grade routers to host their malicious activities.

The FCC cited a “national security determination” issued by the Trump administration on March 20th, 2026, stating, “Routers in the United States must have trusted supply chains so we are not providing foreign actors with potential built-in backdoors to American homes, businesses, critical infrastructure, and emergency services.”

The FCC referenced that foreign-made routers were involved in cyberattacks targeting vital US infrastructure, including the Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon attacks.

The FCC's decision is part of a broader goal in the White House's 2025 national security strategy, which emphasizes that "the United States must never be dependent on any outside power for core components—from raw materials to parts to finished products—necessary to the nation’s defense or economy."

The ban is part of the White House's 2025 national security strategy, which states that the United States must not depend on outside powers for core components necessary for national defense or economy.

HOW:

Companies seeking conditional approval for new products must provide a “detailed, time-bound plan to establish or expand manufacturing in the United States for the router for which the applicant is seeking Conditional Approval.”

Companies seeking conditional approval for new products must provide a plan to shift at least some manufacturing to the US, as part of the exemption process from the Pentagon or the Department of Homeland Security.

Router makers can secure an exemption from the Pentagon or the Department of Homeland Security by providing a “detailed, time-bound plan to establish or expand manufacturing in the United States for the router for which the applicant is seeking Conditional Approval.”

Companies seeking conditional approval for new products must provide a plan to shift at least some manufacturing to the US.

Companies can apply for conditional approval for new products from the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security, requiring a plan to shift some manufacturing to the US.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 17:52 UTC)

On Monday, the FCC announced a significant order prohibiting the import of all new foreign-made consumer routers, labeling them as a security risk due to their involvement in recent cyberattacks on critical U.S. infrastructure. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr highlighted that malicious actors have exploited security gaps in these routers, which are primarily produced in foreign countries, to disrupt networks and facilitate espionage. Companies can still import small batches of unauthorized devices for product development, but they must submit a detailed plan to establish or expand manufacturing in the U.S. to gain conditional approval for new products.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 15:52 UTC)

In a significant move, the FCC has updated its "covered list" to include all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries, effectively prohibiting the sale of new Wi-Fi routers that are not made in the U.S. This decision, announced last Monday, stems from a national security determination issued by Trump on March 20, which highlighted the risks posed by foreign-made routers in cyberattacks against critical U.S. infrastructure. Companies looking to gain conditional approval for new products will now need to outline plans to shift some manufacturing to the U.S. as part of the exemption process.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 13:41 UTC)

The FCC is moving forward with a ban on foreign-made routers, impacting companies like TP-Link, Netgear, Eero, and Google Nest, as part of a national security measure. Their updated "covered list" now includes all consumer-grade routers produced outside the U.S., which are deemed a security risk, and prohibits the sale of any new models not made in the U.S., although previously purchased routers can still be used. Companies looking to gain conditional approval for new products must outline plans to shift some manufacturing to the U.S. as part of the exemption process from the Pentagon or the Department of Homeland Security.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 11:27 UTC)

In a significant move, the FCC has prohibited the sale of new Wi-Fi routers that are not manufactured in the United States, citing national security concerns. This decision, announced last Monday, affects virtually all routers, including those made by US-based companies like TP-Link, which produces its products in Vietnam. Companies can seek conditional approval for new products by presenting a detailed plan to establish or expand manufacturing in the US, as the FCC aims to prevent foreign actors from potentially compromising American homes and critical infrastructure.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 05:39 UTC)

In a significant move, the FCC has prohibited the sale of any new Wi-Fi routers not made in the United States, citing national security concerns and referencing a determination from Trump issued last Monday. This order updates the FCC's "covered list" to include all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries, with the agency emphasizing the need for trusted supply chains to protect against potential cyber threats. Companies like Netgear have expressed support for this decision, while TP-Link pointed out that most routers, including their own, are manufactured overseas, although they can seek exemptions by proposing plans to expand US production.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 01:43 UTC)

In a significant move, the FCC is banning imports of new foreign-made consumer routers, impacting major companies like TP-Link, NetGear, Eero, and Google Nest. This decision comes as China is estimated to control over 60% of the U.S. market for home routers and is part of the White House's 2025 national security strategy, which aims to reduce dependence on foreign powers for essential components. To gain conditional approval for new products, companies will now need to present a plan to shift at least some of their manufacturing to the United States.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 23:42 UTC)

The Federal Communications Commission has announced a ban on the import of all new foreign-made consumer routers, citing national security risks associated with devices manufactured outside the U.S. Companies like TP-Link, NetGear, Eero, and Google Nest will be affected, but previously approved routers can still be sold and used, with updates available until at least March 1, 2027. This decision is part of President Trump's national security strategy aimed at reducing reliance on foreign powers for essential components critical to the nation's defense and economy.