Federal Government Blocks New Foreign Router Imports Over Security Concerns

The Trump administration has prohibited the importation of new foreign-manufactured routers, adding them to a federal list of equipment deemed risky to national security. The Federal Communications Commission warns that cybercriminals have used vulnerabilities in overseas-made routers to target American homes and infrastructure.

WASHINGTON — Federal officials have prohibited the importation of new routers manufactured overseas, adding these internet connection devices to a government security blacklist due to cybersecurity concerns.

The Federal Communications Commission has placed consumer routers — the devices that link home computers, smartphones and smart home gadgets to the internet — on the nation’s “covered list.” This registry identifies telecommunications equipment and services that officials believe “pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the U.S. or the safety and security of Americans,” according to the FCC.

“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 stated this week, pointing to multiple instances where overseas-manufactured routers were compromised in cyberattacks against U.S. infrastructure.

While American hardware manufacturers like Netgear and eero market routers under their brand names, nearly all production occurs in foreign facilities. Officials have not clarified whether routers made abroad by U.S. companies fall under this prohibition, or if any router manufacturing currently takes place domestically.

Federal regulators have created an exception allowing routers that receive conditional government approval after officials determine they don’t present unacceptable security threats. Companies manufacturing consumer routers may still seek this conditional authorization.

According to the FCC, these new limitations only affect upcoming device models, meaning Americans can continue operating routers they’ve already purchased.

Nevertheless, consumers considering upgrading their home internet equipment might want to act soon.

Government-approved router models remain available through retailers currently. When existing inventory runs out, consumers could face shortages and likely higher prices as American manufacturers reorganize their supply networks, establish domestic production facilities and obtain federal clearance for new models.