In a decisive move to secure American networks, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced a sweeping ban on importing new consumer routers manufactured abroad. The prohibition targets foreign-made devices that regulators fear could serve as potential backdoors for cyber espionage or attacks on critical infrastructure. This marks a significant escalation in the agency’s ongoing efforts to police the global hardware supply chain.

The rule effectively closes the door on a vast array of affordable international networking gear currently flooding the market. Carr emphasized that unchecked imports pose unacceptable risks to national security, leaving millions of consumers vulnerable. The mandate aims to ensure that every router connecting U.S. homes to the internet meets stringent safety standards before ever reaching a retail shelf.