The Florida Attorney General has initiated legal action against TP-Link, alleging the company misled consumers regarding the security of its routers and its operational ties to China. The lawsuit claims that the manufacturer misrepresented its independence from the Chinese government and the actual origin of its hardware components.
According to the state, TP-Link routers have been targeted by state-sponsored hackers, and many older models lack automatic security updates. Florida officials also dispute the company's claims regarding manufacturing, stating that research and production remain based in China, with less than 1% of parts sourced from Vietnam.
Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense, began investigating TP-Link in 2024 over potential national security threats and unfair trade practices. The company maintains that its U.S. operations separated from the Chinese parent firm in 2024 and that it has utilized Vietnamese production facilities since 2018.
While TP-Link has not faced a total U.S. ban, it is currently navigating FCC restrictions on the import of new consumer routers. The company has applied for a conditional approval exemption, similar to other manufacturers. Beyond Florida, the states of Iowa, Nebraska, and Montana have also filed lawsuits against the company citing similar security concerns.
