Nebraska AG Sues TP-Link Over China Ties and Security Risks

• •Nebraska AG sues TP-Link for misleading consumers about security risks.
• •TP-Link allegedly maintains ties to Chinese military contractors despite claims to the contrary.
• •Four states, including Nebraska, have filed lawsuits against TP-Link over these issues.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a lawsuit against TP-Link Systems Inc. for allegedly misleading consumers about its ties to China and the security vulnerabilities of its routers. The lawsuit claims that TP-Link, which controls 60% of the U.S. retail market for Wi-Fi systems, has not fully severed its connections to Chinese military contractors, despite claims of relocating manufacturing to Vietnam. The Attorney General argues that these ties expose Nebraska consumers to risks from foreign state actors, particularly Russian intelligence and Chinese hackers. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and aims to inform consumers about the potential dangers of TP-Link's products. Similar lawsuits have been filed by Iowa, Florida, and Montana, highlighting a broader concern regarding the security of devices linked to foreign adversaries. The allegations include that TP-Link's representations about its products' safety are misleading.