US Bans Foreign-Made Routers, Raising Security Concerns

Critics say the move is 'industrial policy disguised as cybersecurity' that won't improve safety.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:07am

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A highly detailed, 3D macro illustration of a complex network of glowing, neon-lit router hardware, cables, and circuit boards, conveying the critical importance and potential vulnerabilities of global digital infrastructure.As the US government moves to restrict foreign-made networking equipment, concerns grow over the balance between national security and economic protectionism.Athens Today

The United States has implemented a ban on foreign-made SOHO (small office/home office) routers, citing cybersecurity concerns. However, public policy professor Milton Mueller argues that the ban will not actually improve security and is instead a form of 'industrial policy disguised as cybersecurity' that serves the lobbying goals of domestic router manufacturers like Netgear.

Why it matters

The router ban is part of a broader trend of the US government taking steps to limit the use of foreign-made technology, often under the guise of national security. Critics argue that these policies are more about protecting domestic industries than improving cybersecurity, and could ultimately make the US less secure by reducing competition and innovation.

The details

The router ban prohibits the sale or use of foreign-made SOHO routers in the US, with the goal of reducing the risk of espionage or sabotage. However, Mueller contends that the risk from foreign-made routers has been exaggerated, and that the ban will simply benefit domestic router manufacturers like Netgear who have lobbied for such a policy.

  • The US router ban went into effect in March 2026.

The players

Milton Mueller

A professor at the University of Georgia's School of Public Policy and the founder of its Internet Governance Project, who has criticized the US router ban as 'industrial policy disguised as cybersecurity'.

Netgear

A major US-based router manufacturer that has lobbied for policies limiting the use of foreign-made routers.

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What they’re saying

“The United States' ban on foreign-made SOHO routers won't improve security, and only makes sense as 'industrial policy disguised as cybersecurity'.”

— Milton Mueller, Professor, University of Georgia School of Public Policy

The takeaway

The US router ban highlights the tension between national security concerns and economic protectionism. While the government claims the policy is about improving cybersecurity, critics argue it is really about shielding domestic industries from foreign competition, which could ultimately make the country less secure in the long run.