Texas AG Sues TP-Link Over China Connection Concerns
TL;DR
- Lawsuit: Texas AG sues TP-Link over alleged connection to China
- Claims: Router maker deceptively marketed security, allowed Chinese hacking access
- TP-Link Response: Claims are without merit, company is independent American entity
- Context: Previously investigated by federal authorities after Salt Typhoon hack
The Lawsuit
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced a lawsuit against Wi-Fi router maker TP-Link for deceptively marketing the security of its products and allowing Chinese hacking groups to access Americans devices.
Allegations
Paxton original started looking into TP-Link in October 2025. The lawsuit claims that because the companys ownership and supply-chain are tied to China, it is subject to the countrys data laws, which require companies to comply with requests from Chinese intelligence agencies.
The lawsuit also says that firmware vulnerabilities in TP-Links hardware have already exposed millions of consumers to severe cybersecurity risks.
TP-Links Response
TP-Link provided the following statement: “The claims made by the Texas Attorney Generals office are without merit and will be proven false. TP-Link Systems Inc. is an independent American company. Neither the Chinese government nor the CCP exercises any form of ownership or control over TP-Link.”
Background
TP-Link was reportedly being investigated at the federal level in 2024 after its devices were connected to the massive “Salt Typhoon” hack that accessed data from multiple US telecom companies.
Despite signs pointing to the federal government getting ready to ban TP-Link in 2025, the Trump administration paused plans to ban the companys routers in early February, ahead of a meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping.
Source: Engadget
