US Bans New Foreign-Made Home Routers Over National Security Fears

The FCC has officially added foreign-made consumer routers to its restricted Covered List, citing major cybersecurity risks. Find out what it means for your current devices.

In a major move for national security, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially added all foreign-made home routers to its restricted Covered List. The decision, which went into effect on Monday, 23 March 2026, effectively blocks new models of these devices from being imported or sold within the United States.

An investigation by a specialised interagency body convened by the White House reveals that these devices have become a primary target for international cyber espionage. National security experts from this group found that routers produced abroad “pose unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States or the safety and security of United States persons,” the FCC’s announcement (PDF) reads.

The government’s decision follows persistent activity from foreign hacking groups ...