Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued an investigative subpoena to TP-Link Systems Inc., a company based in California that sells Wi-Fi routers, as part of a consumer protection investigation. The probe focuses on the company’s cybersecurity practices, supply-chain infrastructure, and how it handles U.S. consumer data.
“Floridians deserve to know the truth about the security of the products they bring into their homes,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “If a company is going to make claims about their cybersecurity or foreign relationship practices, then they had better be accurate. We will not allow Floridians to be misled into handing their personal data to the Chinese Communist Party.”
The subpoena requests documents from TP-Link regarding its corporate structure, manufacturing and software development processes, data management policies, and evidence supporting its statements about product security.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce have proposed banning TP-Link Systems due to concerns that its products may pose risks because they handle sensitive American data and may still be under influence or jurisdiction of the Chinese government.
Should TP-Link Systems be found responsible for exposing Florida consumers to cybersecurity threats or for misleading customers about access by foreign governments, it could violate the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Attorney General Uthmeier has recently taken similar actions against other companies over potential cybersecurity issues and alleged violations of state law, including legal action against Contec and issuing a subpoena to Lorex related to possible connections with the Chinese military.
The investigation into TP-Link is ongoing. The issuance of a subpoena does not mean wrongdoing has been determined.
Consumers who believe they were misled about privacy or security features in products can file complaints through MyFloridaLegal.com or by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.
