TP-Link Faces 5 State Lawsuits: Are Its Routers Still Legal in the US?
Five states have sued TP-Link over router security and disclosure claims. Here's how the lawsuits, FCC restrictions, and firmware vulnerabilities affect existing owners. The post TP-Link Faces 5 State Lawsuits: Are Its Routers Still Legal in the US? appeared first on TechRepublic .
Five US states have filed lawsuits against TP-Link, alleging the company misled consumers about router security and its relationship with Chinese affiliates. Florida, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, and Texas initiated the lawsuits on October 6, 2026, following a similar suit filed in Texas in February. The cases primarily address advertising claims and security disclosures, rather than directly prohibiting the use of existing TP-Link routers.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also imposed restrictions on new foreign-produced router models, implemented in March, but previously authorized routers can still be sold and used. IT teams and consumers are advised to identify vulnerable devices, confirm firmware support, and understand purchasing restrictions. TP-Link denies the accusations, maintaining that it is an independent US business manufacturing its US-market devices in Vietnam.
The lawsuits and FCC restrictions do not require immediate removal of existing TP-Link routers, but organizations should focus on maintaining security for all internet-facing devices.
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