The FCC extends the software update window for existing foreign-made drones and routers to January 1, 2029, easing concerns for owners of devices like DJI drones and TP-Link routers, though new models remain banned unless approved.
The FCC extends software update window for existing foreign-made drones and routers to January 1, 2029, easing concerns for US consumers amid security-focused bans on new models from China.
FCC extends waiver allowing routers and drones to get patches for two more years.
The FCC clarified this week that its ban on foreign-made consumer routers also applies to portable hotspot devices like MiFi devices. The new FAQ section explicitly includes consumer-grade portable or mobile Wi-Fi hotspots for residential use, while exempting mobile phones with hotspot features. Companies must obtain exemptions from the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security to import new devices. Netgear received an exemption last week and Amazon-owned Eero was granted one this week.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre and agencies in nine other countries have warned British businesses to step up vigilance against China-linked hacking ploys that exploit everyday devices like wifi routers for espionage. The advisory warns of a major shift in Chinese tactics using so-called covert networks or botnets to obscure attack origins, with the NCSC believing the majority of China-nexus threat actors are using these networks. In one example, a Chinese business created a covert network infecting 200,000 devices worldwide.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre and agencies in nine other countries have warned of persistent attempts by Beijing-backed hacking groups to exploit vulnerable everyday devices such as wifi routers, printers and web cameras to launch cyber-attacks. The advisory warns of a major shift in Chinese tactics to using internet-connected devices to obscure attack origins, with the NCSC believing the majority of China-nexus threat actors are now using these covert networks or botnets.
