Four States Sue TP-Link Over Hidden Chinese Ties
Attorneys general from Florida, Iowa, Montana, and Nebraska sued TP-Link for allegedly concealing ties to China and misleading consumers about router security.
The attorneys general of Florida, Iowa, Montana, and Nebraska filed lawsuits against TP-Link Systems Inc. on October 6 and 7, 2026, alleging the company misled consumers about its security and corporate origins. The lawsuits claim the California-based router manufacturer concealed its ties to China and the Chinese Communist Party, asserting that the devices use firmware that could allow the Chinese government to access consumer data.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a civil suit in Polk County, arguing that TP-Link falsely marketed its routers and HomeShield service as providing total protection. Uthmeier alleged that Chinese state-sponsored hackers exploited devices that lacked automatic updates or were no longer supported. He further disputed TP-Link's claims of separating from its Chinese parent company in 2024 and manufacturing U.S. products in Vietnam, asserting that research and manufacturing remain rooted in China.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird stated the action violates the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act and marks the first of several planned legal actions against businesses aligned with China. TP-Link, which controls between 50% and 65% of the U.S. consumer router market, is also under inquiry by the U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Department of Commerce regarding national security risks and trade practices.
