The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a ban on new foreign-made consumer routers, citing serious cybersecurity and supply chain risks. This decision prevents newly manufactured routers from overseas vendors from being marketed or sold in the United States, following a national security assessment by government agencies. The move is aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and reducing potential attack surfaces within U.S. communication networks.

Under this policy, foreign-produced routers are added to a “Covered List” unless they receive special approval from agencies like the Department of Homeland Security. Existing devices already in use are not affected, and previously approved models can still be sold. However, the restriction highlights growing concerns that compromised networking devices could be used for cyber espionage, data theft, or large-scale attacks.

Security experts warn that routers are a prime target because they act as the gateway to internet access. Vulnerabilities in these devices can allow attackers to monitor traffic, steal sensitive data, and even launch further attacks. Threat groups such as Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon have reportedly used botnets of compromised routers to target critical infrastructure, including energy and transportation systems.

Conclusion: the FCC’s decision underscores the increasing importance of securing network hardware at the supply chain level. As cyber threats evolve, organizations and individuals must pay closer attention to the security of the devices that connect them to the internet.

source: https://thehackernews.com/2026/03/fcc-bans-new-foreign-made-routers-over.html