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US lawmakers want investigation into TP-Link over Chinese hacking fears

2024-08-21 19:40 by
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Two US Congressmen have called on the Biden administration to launch an investigation over concerns that networking products made by the widely used TP-Link brand could be used to covertly spy on Americans, or be used for cyber attacks.

Republican Representative John Moolenaar and Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi have formally requested an investigation from the US Department of Commerce citing national security risks. According to a letter posted by the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, "TP-Link's unusual degree of vulnerabilities and required compliance with PRC law are in and of themselves disconcerting".

The letter mentions that TP-link manufactures multiple Wi-Fi products, including routers, and hence, it is concerning, given the documented vulnerabilities found in its Wi-Fi routers. Furthermore, TP-Link has the largest supply of Wi-Fi products worldwide, and 95% of Americans use SOHO routers as of 2023. It's also being used in its military bases and by the military members and their families.

The letter mentions companies like the 'Army and Air Force Exchange Service' and 'My Navy Exchange,' which sell products to authorized customers who are active duty military personnel, retirees, reservists, veterans, Department of Defense civilians, and family members.

The other reason, as mentioned in the letter, is the company's compliance requirement with the Chinese government as per their law. The congressmen said," Companies like TP-Link are required to provide data to the PRC (People's Republic of China) government and otherwise comply with the demands of its national security apparatus."

Read more -here-

 

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