Wi-Fi routers don't typically spend much time in the limelight, but TP-Link has been an exception over the past six months. Three US departments are currently investigating the company for ties to Chinese cyberattacks and potential predatory pricing. That's a lot of bad press, but it hasn't been enough for me to buy a new Wi-Fi router yet.
I've been covering the internet world for more than six years, and for the past two, I've used a TP-Link router. I can honestly say I've never had an issue with it -- minimal buffering, solid range and no outages (that I could blame on the router, anyway). In our recent round of Wi-Fi router testing, TP-Link performed admirably, earning an Editors' Choice award for the best budget router.
It's been a thorny issue to navigate for me personally, and for readers. Can I honestly recommend a company that's facing a potential ban in the US? Is my own data at risk? Do I need to replace my router?
Locating local internet providers
These questions started swirling around in my head on Dec. 28, 2024, when the Wall Street Journal reported that the US government is weighing a ban on TP-Link routers due to the company's ties to several high-profile Chinese cyberattacks. Three months later, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, held up a TP-Link router in Congress and said, “Don’t use this.”
TP-Link representatives strenuously denied to me that the company has any links to the Chinese government. However, Chinese corporate records and government announcements show that the company still employs about 11,000 people in China.
Locating local internet providers
When the news broke, I asked four cybersecurity experts whether they would still use a TP-Link router. One gave a strong “no,” another said there is “risk for a consumer,” and two declined to answer the question directly.
Spend any time shopping for Wi-Fi routers and you’ll notice that TP-Link’s routers are often cheaper than competitors. The Justice Department is investigating whether these low prices violate federal law that prohibits companies from selling products for less than they cost to make, according to a recent Bloomberg report. Of the 32 routers we tested for our recent review, TP-Link accounted for eight of the nine cheapest models.
"To date, TP-Link Systems Inc. has not received any inquiry from the Department of Justice regarding these matters," a TP-Link representative said in a statement. "We do not sell products below cost and maintain a policy of transparency in our business practices, ensuring fair pricing for our valued customers."
... continue reading