Router manufacturer sued over suspected collaboration with Chinese hackers

Four US states have filed a coordinated lawsuit against TP-Link, alleging consumer deception regarding product security and ties to the Chinese government. The lawsuit reveals that most manufacturing and development are concentrated in China, contrary to marketing claims. The company denies the allegations.

The attorneys general of Florida, Montana, Iowa, and Nebraska have filed a coordinated lawsuit against TP-Link, the world's leading router manufacturer. At the heart of the lawsuit is an allegation of consumer deception regarding the origin of production – while the company marketed its products as manufactured in Vietnam, the complaint reveals that less than one percent of components come from there, and most manufacturing and development are concentrated in China. It is further alleged that the company's routers suffer from severe security vulnerabilities and are exploited by hackers backed by the Chinese government. TP-Link holds about 20% of the global market and over 60% of the US retail market. The company's vice president, Steve Kovsky, stated that the lawsuits are based on incorrect assumptions. The proceedings join a similar lawsuit from Texas and increase pressure on the Washington administration to impose sanctions.