Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued TP-Link over claims that the router maker is misleading customers about its ties to China. In a lawsuit filed this week, Paxton claims that TP-Link is “hiding its Chinese connections” while acting as “an open window to Chinese-sponsored threat actors and Chinese intelligence agencies.”
Although TP-Link sells its routers and other products as “Made in Vietnam”, Paxton alleges that the company sources “almost all” of the components used to manufacture these items from China. “The reality is that TP-Link continues to operate its supply-chain inside China with China’s support and through Chinese exports,” the lawsuit claims. “The last effort by TP-Link in Vietnam does not correct the deception of the company’s Chinese affiliation.”
TP-Link’s ties to China have come under intense scrutiny by the Trump administration, culminating in a Federal Trade Commission investigation. bloombergAnd an investigation was opened by Texas in October. Texas alleges that TP-Link violates consumer protection laws by misrepresenting its products as “safe” despite alleged vulnerabilities and misleading customers about its association with China.
The Texas lawsuit against TP-Link is part of the state’s broader efforts to crack down on Chinese companies. On Wednesday, Paxton also filed a lawsuit against Texas-based drone company Anzu Robotics, which he alleges is misleading consumers about the origin, data practices and security risks of its devices. Paxton alleges that Anju’s devices are “rebranded” drones made by China-based company DJI, which the Federal Communications Commission recently banned from importing new drones into the US.
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