FCC Bans Import of Foreign-Made Consumer Routers Over 'Unacceptable Risk'

The FCC prohibited all consumer routers manufactured outside the United States from import unless manufacturers receive an exemption from DHS or DOD. The ban, effective March 20, cites Salt Typhoon's exploitation of foreign routers to access critical infrastructure and CISA's assessment of routers as the 'attack vector of choice.' Existing devices in homes remain permitted; the ban applies only to future imports. Critics warn the rule could create supply chain uncertainty, as most consumer networking equipment is manufactured overseas.