Florida Attorney General James Utmeier issued a subpoena to a Chinese-American-based internet service provider (ISP), TP-Link, regarding alleged cybersecurity risks and data sharing with the Chinese Communist Party.
“Floridians deserve to know the truth about the security of the products they bring into their homes," Uthmeier shared on X. "If a company is going to make claims about its cybersecurity or foreign relationship practices, then it had better be accurate. We will not allow Floridians to be misled into handing their personal data to the Chinese Communist Party.”
The subpoena comes as a part of an ongoing investigation into the ISP’s cybersecurity practices, supply-chain infrastructure, and handling of U.S. consumer data. TP-Link, now headquartered in California, originally founded the company in Shenzhen, China, and they operate servers located in China.
TP-Link Systems must produce documentation regarding its corporate structure, manufacturing and software development practices, data handling, and the evidence supporting its product-security claims.
Previously, the U.S. Department of Commerce officials proposed a ban on TP-Link Systems, citing that the products pose a risk to U.S. privacy due to the company handling sensitive American data and because the officials believed it remains subject to influence by the Chinese government.
If investigators find that TP-Link Systems exposed sensitive information to cybersecurity threats or misled customers about foreign government access, the company will directly violate the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
In August 2024, the United States Department of Commerce led an investigation of TP-Link and its affiliates for potential national security risks. A spokesperson from TP-Link's United States office stated that they are welcome to engage with the U.S. to demonstrate the security of their products and their commitment to addressing national security risks.
TP-Link’s dual headquarters structure in the U.S. and China is a direct response to increased scrutiny.
Despite that, the majority of its employees, including those in research and development, are located in China.
