The FCC has officially added foreign-made routers to its Covered List, a list of devices considered a national security threat to the United States. This means that no new foreign-made routers can be sold in America unless they are granted a special exemption.
If you’re wondering what this means for your current router in your living room, don’t panic just yet. The ban initially only affects new router approvals.
Why is the US government worried about your router?
According to the March 20, 2026 National Security Determination, routers have become the target of hackers and state-sponsored cyber attackers. The FCC’s public notice released today states: “From disrupting network connectivity to enabling local network espionage and intellectual property theft, foreign-made routers pose unacceptable risks to Americans.”
The statement cites a series of high-profile attacks as evidence, saying that “foreign-made routers were directly implicated in the Volt, Flax and Salt Typhoon cyberattacks that targeted critical American communications, energy, transportation and water infrastructure.”
The conclusion of the national security authorities is blunt. Foreign routers provide malicious actors with a “built-in backdoor into American homes, businesses, critical infrastructure and emergency services.”
Does this mean you need to replace your router?
Not immediately. The notice does not address routers already in use by the public. It’s all about the future sales of the routers.
Foreign routers with FCC approval can still be sold. Router makers that produce their equipment abroad can apply for the conditional approval, which will buy them time while they develop a plan to move production to the United States.
The names of the brands can be found on the Covered List and the names of the brands that have received conditional approval can be found on the FCC website. Popular brands like TP-Link, which have already been investigated by the US government, will either have to relocate production or apply for these exemptions in order to continue selling new models in the US.
This is a significant step that will reshape the router market. It remains to be seen whether this will result in greater security for everyday users, but one thing is clear: the era of affordable, foreign-made routers dominating American homes may soon be coming to an end.
