New FCC ruling bans the sale of most new foreign-made wireless routers to protect U.S. national security.

Key points

• The FCC has prohibited the import and sale of new models of foreign-produced wireless routers, citing risks to national security, critical infrastructure, and consumer privacy.
• The ban applies to any device where major stages of production—including design, development, and assembly—occur outside the United States.
• Existing router models that have already been approved and are currently on the market remain legal to sell and use.
• While companies can technically apply for security exemptions, the FCC suggests it will be extremely difficult for foreign manufacturers to meet the new requirements.
• Consumers do not need to replace their current routers, but the ruling may eventually lead to supply shortages or delays for internet service providers.

This ruling represents a major shift in how the U.S. regulates consumer technology, effectively forcing a massive overhaul of the domestic supply chain for home networking equipment. It highlights growing government concerns that foreign-made hardware could be exploited for cyberattacks or surveillance against American citizens and infrastructure.