US moves to ban new foreign-made internet routers over security risks

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a ban on new foreign-made consumer internet routers, citing growing national security concerns.

In an updated list of equipment considered unsafe, the agency added all consumer-grade routers manufactured outside the United States. The move places routers alongside previously restricted foreign-made drones.

According to the FCC, security vulnerabilities in overseas-produced routers have been exploited by malicious actors to infiltrate networks, carry out cyberattacks, and enable espionage and intellectual property theft.

The restriction does not impact devices already in use. However, all new router models built abroad must now receive FCC approval before they can be imported, marketed, or sold in the US.

To qualify, manufacturers will need to disclose details about foreign ownership or influence and outline plans to shift production to the United States.

Some exemptions may be granted if approved by the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security, though no devices have yet been cleared.

The decision follows mounting concerns that routers serve as vulnerable entry points for cyber threats.

High-profile incidents, including operations known as Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon between 2024 and 2025, targeted US infrastructure and were linked to actors associated with China.

Most routers used in the US are currently manufactured in countries such as China and Taiwan, even when designed domestically.

Brands like Netgear rely heavily on overseas production, while Starlink WiFi router—developed by SpaceX—is among the few assembled within the US.