US bans new foreign-made consumer internet routers
Source: bbc.com
- The US government banned importing new consumer internet routers made outside the country due to national security risks.
- Existing foreign routers can still be used, but new models need FCC approval and often US manufacturing plans.
- The move targets vulnerabilities exploited in cyberattacks like Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon linked to China.
The Federal Communications Commission added all foreign-made consumer routers to a banned list because hackers have used their security flaws to spy on Americans and attack infrastructure. This affects homes and businesses relying on these devices to connect phones, computers, and TVs to the internet. It matters because most routers come from places like China or Taiwan, forcing a shift to US-made options amid rising cyber threats.