US bans new foreign-made consumer internet routers

The US has banned new foreign-made consumer internet routers over national security concerns. 

In an update on Monday to a list of equipment seen as not secure enough for use, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added all consumer-grade routers made outside the US.

It puts routers - which are used widely in homes and businesses to connect computers, phones, TVs and other devices to the internet - on a par with foreign-made drones, which were banned at the end of last year.

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

While people will still be able to use foreign-made routers they already own, the ban applies to all "new device models."The ban stems from growing concern over the last year that routers were a point of easy-access for malicious actors.TP-Link, a router brand made in China that is a best-seller on Amazon, became the subject of some US political anxiety last year after a spate of cyberattacks.

Any new router made outside the US will now need to be approved by the FCC before it can be imported, marketed, or sold in the country.

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