Four States Sue TP-Link Over Alleged Deception on Chinese Router Ties

Key points

• Attorneys General from Florida, Iowa, Montana, and Nebraska filed lawsuits against TP-Link on October 6, 2026, alleging the company misled consumers about its Chinese connections and the security risks of its routers.
• The lawsuits claim TP-Link violated state consumer protection laws by falsely asserting its routers are safe and that the company has no ties to the Chinese government.
• TP-Link is currently unable to sell its latest Wi-Fi 8 routers in the US because it has not received an exemption from the FCC’s ban on foreign-made routers, unlike competitors such as Netgear and Asus.
• TP-Link’s corporate affairs officer, Steve Kovsky, stated the lawsuits are built on false premises and that the company is an independent US entity not controlled by any foreign government.
• The FCC ban requires router makers to obtain a national security determination from the Department of Defense or Homeland Security, a process TP-Link is currently undergoing.

Background

TP-Link relocated its headquarters to California in October 2024 amid investigations into high-profile cyberattacks linked to Chinese state hackers. In April 2026, TP-Link met with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, stating it was investing hundreds of millions of dollars to bring manufacturing and R&D to the US. The company has previously faced scrutiny from former NSA officials who cited TP-Link routers as targets in major cyberattacks. In September 2026, TP-Link unveiled its first Wi-Fi 8 hardware, the Archer 8 Ultra and Deco 8 Ultra, but preorders were initially limited to select regions outside the US due to the ongoing regulatory hurdles.

How outlets are covering it

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier called TP-Link’s claim of splitting from China a 'fiction,' arguing that research and manufacturing remain rooted in China. He cited a Bloomberg report stating that less than 1% of parts in TP-Link’s Vietnam plant come from Vietnam. TP-Link’s Steve Kovsky countered that the lawsuits are 'built on false premises' and unfairly penalize an industry-leading US company. PCMag noted that the Florida complaint does not cite new information but relies on past reports and a 2026 Glassdoor review by a former employee. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird emphasized the risk to national security, while Montana’s AG Austin Knudsen highlighted the risk to personal data. The Register and KCRG reported on the lawsuits but did not provide additional unique details beyond the core allegations and TP-Link’s response.

Why it matters

The lawsuits and the FCC ban highlight the growing tension between US national security concerns and the global supply chain for consumer electronics. The outcome of these cases and the FCC’s decision on TP-Link’s exemption could set a precedent for how other foreign-made tech products are regulated in the US. It also underscores the challenges companies face in rebranding and relocating operations to meet US regulatory standards.

What to watch

TP-Link is currently going through the FCC’s standard approval process for new products. The company has stated that its existing products remain available for sale in the US. The outcome of the state lawsuits and the FCC’s decision on TP-Link’s exemption will determine whether TP-Link can sell its new Wi-Fi 8 routers in the US. The Texas lawsuit against TP-Link, filed in February 2026, has a jury trial scheduled for October 2027.