Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued an investigative subpoena to TP-Link Systems Inc., a California-based company that sells Wi-Fi routers for home and business use. The subpoena is part of an ongoing investigation into the company’s cybersecurity practices, supply-chain infrastructure, and how it handles consumer data in the United States.
“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 demands that TP-Link provide documents related to its corporate structure, manufacturing and software development procedures, data management policies, and any evidence supporting its public statements on product security.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce have proposed banning TP-Link Systems from certain operations due to concerns that its products may put sensitive American data at risk and because authorities believe the company could still be influenced by the Chinese government.
If it is determined that TP-Link exposed consumers in Florida to cybersecurity risks or misrepresented foreign government access to user data, this would constitute a violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Attorney General Uthmeier has previously taken similar actions against other companies over cybersecurity issues. This includes legal steps against Contec for potential risks and alleged violations of state law, as well as issuing a subpoena to Lorex regarding concerns tied to connections with the Chinese military.
The investigation into TP-Link is ongoing. The issuance of a subpoena does not indicate any finding of wrongdoing at this stage.
Consumers who feel they were misled about privacy or security features of products are encouraged to file complaints through MyFloridaLegal.com or by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.