US states sue popular kitmaker TP-Link over China risks

The attorneys general of four US states have filed a lawsuit against TP-Link, a leading networking and smart home technology company. The complaint alleges that TP-Link's security claims were misleading, and it failed to disclose its ties to China. TP-Link is a major player in the US retail market, controlling around 36.6% of the market by units and 31% by dollars in 2024, according to Circana statistics.

The lawsuit accuses TP-Link of engaging in deceptive marketing practices, exploiting its routers' security vulnerabilities, and operating under Chinese influence. It claims that the company's supply chain is heavily reliant on Chinese companies and that it continues to manufacture devices in China despite previously moving production to Vietnam.

The complaint also alleges that TP-Link's security assurances were false, as its routers contain critical vulnerabilities that have been exploited in Chinese and Russian state-backed hacking campaigns.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird stated that the safety and national security of Iowans are at risk due to TP-Link's connection to the Chinese government. Nebraska Attorney General Xavier Becerra echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need to hold China and its backed companies accountable. TP-Link's corporate affairs officer, Steve Kovsky, dismissed the lawsuit as baseless, stating that the company has provided documentation proving its US ownership and compliance with US privacy and data protection laws.