In a major move for national security, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially added all foreign-made home routers to its restricted Covered List. The decision, which went into effect on Monday, 23 March 2026, effectively blocks new models of these devices from being imported or sold within the United States.
An investigation by a specialised interagency body convened by the White House reveals that these devices have become a primary target for international cyber espionage. National security experts from this group found that routers produced abroad “pose unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States or the safety and security of United States persons,” the FCC’s announcement (PDF) reads.
The government’s decision follows persistent activity from foreign hacking groups, including Volt Typhoon, Flax Typhoon, and Salt Typhoon. These groups have targeted essential services like water, power, and communications, and these actors frequently exploit security gaps in home routers to spy on families, steal personal data, or launch larger attacks on the nation’s infrastructure.
The FCC, which manages communication technology, acted after this White House-led group of national security agencies warned that relying on foreign-made parts makes the US economy vulnerable.
Experts noted that these devices could provide potential built-in backdoors for bad actors to enter American homes. This shift follows President Trump’s 2025 National Security Strategy, which states that the US must never be “dependent on any outside power for core components” needed for the economy.
What This Means for Households
If you already have a router in your house, you do not need to throw it away. The FCC confirmed that these new rules only apply to future models that have not yet been authorised. Shop owners can also continue to sell the stock they already have. Furthermore, existing routers will still be allowed to receive security patches and software updates until at least March 2027.
For any new foreign router models to enter the US market, they must undergo a strict review. The Department of War (DoW) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can grant a Conditional Approval if they find a device is safe. Companies looking to apply for this are encouraged to send their requests to [email protected].
In response to the new rules, Chairman Carr of the FCC stated that this update is a vital step in making sure “US cyberspace, critical infrastructure, and supply chains are safe and secure,” in an era where our lives are heavily dependent upon the internet.
