The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned new consumer-grade routers made outside the US, citing national security concerns. The rule prevents foreign-made routers from being imported or sold in the US, with exceptions for models that receive conditional approval from the Department of Defense or Homeland Security.
The decision follows a Trump administration directive aimed at reducing reliance on foreign technology. Existing routers can still be sold and used, but new models must be manufactured domestically or meet strict security criteria. The move targets vulnerabilities that could be exploited by foreign actors to conduct cyberattacks, espionage, and data theft.
Router manufacturers must now submit detailed plans to establish or expand US-based production. The rule applies to both US and foreign companies, with the FCC emphasizing that any major stage of production-manufacturing, design, or development-outside the US is prohibited.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr credited the action to President Trump’s leadership, stating it aligns with the administration’s broader goal of securing critical infrastructure and supply chains.
