The router wars are heating up - TP-Link says "smear campaign" by Netgear painted it as US national security risk

1. Pro

The router wars are heating up - TP-Link says "smear campaign" by Netgear painted it as US national security risk News By Efosa Udinmwen published 23 November 2025

TP-Link fires back at Netgear over alleged false claims

Comments (0) ()

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Armmy Picca)

• TP-Link claims Netgear misrepresented a Microsoft report, harming its public reputation significantly
• Netgear CEO remarks allegedly linked TP-Link to Chinese state-backed cyber campaigns incorrectly
• Disputed statements reference Typhoon-named threat groups without vendor attribution

TP-Link has filed a lawsuit accusing fellow hardware giant Netgear of intentionally spreading misleading claims which portrayed the company as linked to Chinese state-backed cyber threats.

The complaint alleges comments made by Netgear CEO Charles Prober during a recent earnings call implied TP-Link had a role in cyberattacks attributed to groups tracked under the Typhoon naming scheme, despite no attribution to the vendor in initial reports.

• Amazon Black Friday deals are live: here are our picks!

TP-Link argues these statements distorted public perception and contributed to media reports suggesting that its products pose a national security concern in the United States.

You may like

• Worrying TP-Link router flaws could let botnets attack your Microsoft 365 accounts - so update now
• Asus routers across the globe hit by suspected Chinese cyberattack - here's what we know
• Taiwan warns Chinese cyberattacks are intensifying

Disputed references to cyberespionage activity

During the earnings call, Prober referenced Microsoft’s findings into a cyber campaign involving TP-Link routers, framing the issue as part of broader national security scrutiny.

TP-Link disputes this interpretation, saying the report did not identify any involvement from the vendor itself, only that attackers had exploited its routers as part of a botnet.

The company argues that citing multiple Typhoon-named threat groups created a misleading association between the vendor and Chinese state operations.

TP-Link alleges that those statements were not only false but also derogatory.

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The company highlights it is incorporated and headquartered in California, employs hundreds of staff in the state, and maintains US-based leadership responsible for global decisions.

Its complaint acknowledges the existence of a separate China-based predecessor entity, but claims TP-Link Systems and TP-Link Technologies now operate independently.

The company asserts its US headquarters disproves claims of Chinese government control or risk based on origin.

You may like

• Worrying TP-Link router flaws could let botnets attack your Microsoft 365 accounts - so update now
• Asus routers across the globe hit by suspected Chinese cyberattack - here's what we know
• Taiwan warns Chinese cyberattacks are intensifying

The filing also references a previous settlement in which TP-Link paid Netgear $135 million to resolve patent litigation.

Under that agreement, Netgear allegedly committed to stop making disparaging claims about TP-Link and its products.

TP-Link argues the remarks made in recent investor calls constitute a breach of that agreement and amount to commercial disparagement and unjust enrichment.

The vendor seeks damages and a jury trial to address reputational harm and alleged contract violations.

Media reports have suggested that US agencies may be examining TP-Link’s products in relation to national security concerns, though no official confirmation has been issued.

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

TOPICS Netgear Efosa UdinmwenFreelance Journalist

Efosa has been writing about technology for over 7 years, initially driven by curiosity but now fueled by a strong passion for the field. He holds both a Master's and a PhD in sciences, which provided him with a solid foundation in analytical thinking.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Worrying TP-Link router flaws could let botnets attack your Microsoft 365 accounts - so update now    Asus routers across the globe hit by suspected Chinese cyberattack - here's what we know    Taiwan warns Chinese cyberattacks are intensifying    Hidden debug code returns from the dead as TP-Link routers face a wave of new critical root access flaws    TP-Link reveals more hardware security issues, so patch now or be at risk    US warns Chinese tech firms may have ties to notorious cyber espionage group which hit hundreds of firms    Latest in Pro Jimdo adds AI to its website builder, promises better business outcomes    Perplexity responds to Comet browser vulnerability claims, argues "fake news"    D-Link routers under threat from dangerous flaw - here's how to stay safe    Second-order prompt injection can turn AI into a malicious insider    Too good to be true? Be careful when looking through those Black Friday offers - they might be a scam    A glimpse into the next decade of connectivity: 4 lessons from Yotta 2025    Latest in News How to watch Fake Friend: The Ticket Scammer online — it's *FREE*    How to watch Prisoner 951 online — it's *FREE* on BBC iPlayer    How to watch Changing Ends season 3 on ITV — it's *FREE*    How to watch The Age of Disclosure online – stream 'credible' UFO documentary, cheapest ways    The Full Screen Experience is moving from handhelds to full PCs    These three relatively affordable products could start off Apple's 2026    LATEST ARTICLES

1. 1The router wars are heating up - TP-Link says "smear campaign" by Netgear painted it as US national security risk
2. 2I tested Samsung’s Dolby Atmos soundbar and sub combo, and it’s still the best mid-range model on the market
3. 3This pioneering instant messaging platform tried to keep up with the times - we take a closer look at why ICQ failed
4. 4Perplexity responds to Comet browser vulnerability claims, argues "fake news"
5. 5Microsoft is hoping to kill off its most embarrassing BSOD errors for good - farewell to big-screen outages in the wild