TP-Link in the USA · Home Lab Explorers

TP-Link in the USA

I read an article and have seen it confirmed I think on Wired that the US Commerce Department along with several other US Government agencies have recommended that the US ban the sale of TP-Link routers in the US. The consensus for this is that TP-Link USA (a separate company) is beholden to their previous owner TP-Link China and that the Chinese government holds sway over them. With this and the popularity of TP-Link routers in the US (reportedly upward of 50% of US home/SoHo routers in the US are TP-Link) these other agencies feel like the Chinese government would have too much possible access to sensitive US data.

With that said I really don't want this post to be some sort of political tit for tat discussion. I have recently become heavily invested in TP-Link products. I have two of their switches within the last 3 months and 3 of the AP's within the last year, along with running the Omada software controller to administer these devices. I also have over 40 TP-Link WiFi smart switches, outlets, and multi-outlet strips.

I consulted with Gemini :>) and per its research the reported problems with TP-Link products are no more and really no less than other manufacturers (Netgear and LinkSys). So it is really a matter of whether the Chinese government could gain access to US data. Again with that said my questions become do I believe that this could happen (government access), what is my exposure, and do I really consider replacing all these products if TP-Link and their products are banned from this country?

What do you all think?

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