US Federal Communications Commission implements ban on foreign-made routers

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The US Federal Communications Commission announced a blanket ban on all new imports of foreign made consumer routers citing national security reasons. 

The move is seen as part of Washington's latest crackdown on Chinese-made electronic goods, with sources saying that at least 60 percent of household routers currently used in the US having originated from China. 

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the latest update to its list of equipment seen as insecure for use on Monday -- this time, the addition of all foreign-made routers.

US authorities said the decision was made owing to foreign-imported routers posing a risk to the national supply chain, which could result in the disruption of the US economy, infrastructure and national security. 

The new regulation does not apply to foreign router models previously approved by the FCC. 

This as an earlier report from Reuters noted an estimated 60 percent of household routers in the US were manufactured in China.

The report further said the updated measure is part of Washington's latest effort to combat the Chinese-made consumer electronics.

Another report by Bloomberg indicated the regulation aims to increase pressure on router brand TP-Link, which was established in China in 1996 and currently headquartered in California.

The US government sued TP-Link last month for allegedly marketing its networking devices deceptively as well as accessing American users' devices. 

TP-Link stressed it will defend its reputation, emphasising that Beijing has no authority over the company nor access over users' data.   

Last year, the FCC also cited national security reasons for its implementation of a ban on Chinese-made drones including those manufactured by DJI.

The move was condemned by Beijing, calling the regulation a bullying tactic.