U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) led a bipartisan contingent of 21 of their colleagues in seeking a federal investigation into a Chinese technology company that could be posing national security risks to America.
The lawmakers requested that the U.S. Department of Commerce investigate TP-Link Technologies Co. Ltd., a China-based company that designs and manufactures networking equipment, including internet-connected security cameras, baby monitors, and other smart connectivity devices.
Open-source information indicates that TP-Link represents “a serious and present danger” to U.S. information and communication technology services (ICTS) security, according to a Nov. 13 letter the lawmakers sent to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Reports indicate TP-Link is rapidly expanding its share of the U.S. market for internet-connected security cameras, wrote the lawmakers, who also included U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Michael McCaul (R-TX), August Pfluger (R-TX), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), and Mike Carey (R-OH).
“TP-Link also sells routers and internet-connected security cameras under the brands of TP-Link, Tapo, and Kasa,” they wrote. “These products’ market penetration in the United States is extremely concerning.”
Sen. Ernst, Rep. Hinson, and their colleagues also pointed out that their concerns are “especially elevated” for Chinese-influenced internet-connected security camera companies using cloud-based platforms to store their customers’ videos, an access that also extends beyond cloud storage.
“Using advanced software and generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] can analyze and exploit video and data from these systems to monitor individual and group behavior, geolocate known persons, and uncover private or sensitive activities without users’ consent or awareness,” wrote the lawmakers. “Right now, nothing stops CCP-tied companies from spying on Americans through internet-connected cameras in our homes.
“In contrast to U.S. security interests, TP-Link products are currently sold through the Army and Air Force Exchange and the Navy Exchange, placing these devices in proximity to U.S. military installations and personnel on American soil and abroad,” they added.
The members requested that the Commerce Department evaluate the national security risks posed by internet-connected security cameras sold by TP-Link and determine whether the use of ICTS authorities is warranted to mitigate these risks and provide details to them by Nov. 30.
“If Commerce determines TP-Link products present a national security threat, we urge the department to exercise its ICTS authorities to mitigate the danger promptly,” they wrote.