Attorney General Hilgers Files Suit Against TP-Link as Part of Ongoing Fight to Protect Nebraskans from Exploitation by the Chinese Communist Party
Today, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a lawsuit against TP-Link Systems Inc. for exposing Nebraska consumers to the risk of exploitation by bad actors overseas. TP-Link controls at least 60 percent of the U.S. retail market for Wi-Fi systems and small-office/home-office routers, and sells through big box retailers throughout Nebraska, including Nebraska Furniture Mart. TP-Link does not disclose to consumers that it has ongoing ties to a Chinese military contractor, and that its products are vulnerable to exploitation by Russian intelligence and state-affiliated Chinese hackers.
TP-Link claims it has severed all ties to its China-based operations and transitioned all manufacturing to a plant in Vietnam. However, it still relies on major research and development and manufacturing operations in China, and a vast majority of the components used at its Vietnam manufacturing plant are imported from or through China. Furthermore, TP-Link hired a contractor with ties to the Chinese military to construct its Vietnam manufacturing plant.
These ongoing relationships create serious security concerns and render TP-Link’s representations regarding its routers’ safety and privacy misleading and deceptive. TP-Link’s ongoing connections to China are particularly concerning given China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, which requires Chinese citizens to “provide necessary support, assistance, and cooperation” to national intelligence agencies upon request.
“Once again, we have a company misleading Nebraskans about their connection to the Chinese Communist Party. TP-Link has misled consumers by claiming its routers are safe and secure, and that its ties to China have been severed,” said Attorney General Hilgers. “In truth, TP-Link’s products and systems still have strong connections to China, and its supply chain continues to be intertwined with China’s state-sponsored technology ecosystem.”
The Attorney General’s lawsuit follows similar actions taken against manufacturers and distributors of surveillance equipment with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The lawsuit seeks to prevent TP-Link from continuing to mislead consumers and to make consumers aware of the security risks posed by TP-Link routers. The Attorney General seeks civil penalties and fees from TP-Link for its violations of Nebraska’s Consumer Act and Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, among other relief.
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