Cybersecurity Policy Report, Commerce Department Pressured to Probe TP-Link’s Chinese Ties, (Nov 14, 2025)
The Commerce Department is facing new pressure from Congress to restrict TP-Link’s access to U.S. markets for routers and connected devices.
A letter sent yesterday to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick by a bipartisan group of 23 members of the House and Senate warns that TP-Link products pose “a serious and present danger” to the security of information and communication technology services (ICTS) in the U.S.
“Reports indicate TP-Link is rapidly expanding its share of the U.S. market for internet-connected security cameras,” the lawmakers said. “TP-Link also sells routers and internet-connected security cameras under the brands of TP-Link, Tapo, and Kasa. These products’ market penetration in the United States is extremely concerning.”
The letter cites TP-Link’s Chinese ownership and Chinese legal requirements that Chinese companies assist with national security and comply with orders from the Chinese government and Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
“Right now, nothing stops CCP-tied companies from spying on Americans through internet-connected cameras in our homes. The Chinese Communist Party can capture and exploit these videos to track, blackmail, or extort U.S. citizens—including top government and military officials,” the lawmakers said.
They also expressed concern that TP-Link products were sold at the Army & Air Force Exchange and Navy Exchange, retail stores serving military families at Defense Department installations.
They asked Mr. Lutnick to respond by Nov. 30 with an “assessment of the national security risks associated with TP-Link’s internet-connected security cameras” and an evaluation “of whether ICTS authorities are sufficient and appropriate to address these risks.”
In addition, the Commerce Department should advise the FCC to “add TP-Link and other Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-influenced companies to its Covered List,” the lawmakers said.
Lead signatories on the letter include Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D., Ill.), ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party; Ashley Hinson (R., Iowa), a member of the committee; and Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee.
Mr. Lutnick has previously been advised to look into TP-Link’s U.S. market dominance, including by 17 congressional Republicans last May (CPR, May 15).
TP-Link Systems, Inc., the company’s U.S. subsidiary, denies that its ties to the Chinese government pose a national security risk for the U.S. “As a U.S. company, no government—including China—has access to or control over the design and production of our products,” according to a company statement.
“Since 2018, TP-Link has manufactured U.S.-destined networking products at a TP-Link-owned factory in Vietnam,” it said. “Our product security team works with accredited third-party security labs to scrutinize our products and help us identify, prioritize, and promptly address potential vulnerabilities before they affect our customers.”
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