Lohrmann on Cybersecurity

As federal and state governments extend their lists of banned foreign technologies, where is this trend heading next? Is your home network safe for work use?

February 01, 2026 • 

Dan Lohrmann

Just as national headlines started to report that TikTok closed the deal to split the U.S. app from the global business, other headlines seemed to double down on U.S. federal and state governments banning more Chinese software (including AI apps) because of cybersecurity concerns.

“The move blocks state employees from using hardware and software deemed security threats, expanding restrictions as states nationwide grapple with cybersecurity risks from foreign adversaries. Abbott cited concerns about data harvesting and potential exploitation by China’s government.

“‘Rogue actors across the globe who wish harm on Texans should not be allowed to infiltrate our state’s network and devices,’ Abbott said in a news release. ‘Hostile adversaries harvest user data through AI and other applications and hardware to exploit, manipulate, and violate users and put them at extreme risk.’”

Remember the TikTok ban proposals and national debates about what the reactions would be across the U.S. and the world?

“On December 7, 2022, Governor Greg Abbott required all state agencies to ban the video sharing application TikTok and other prohibited technologies from all state-owned devices and networks over the Chinese Communist Party’s ability to use the application for surveilling Texans. Governor Abbott also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) to develop a plan providing state agencies guidance on managing personal devices used to conduct state business. …”

“American policymakers need a spectrum of responses to foreign technology risks that appropriately balance trade-offs in economic costs; Americans’ access to online services; supply chain entanglement; transparency; domestic imperatives like privacy and civil liberties; and the ability to convince allies and partners to act alongside the United States, where relevant. Such a toolkit—encompassing technical, governance, and commercial mitigation measures—at present often comes up short of a robust, comprehensive approach to contemporary tech supply chain and national security risks, leaving the U.S. vulnerable and policymakers without more tailored options to act on potential threats. …”

“The United States tightened rules on telecoms gear made by Chinese companies deemed a national security risk, the latest move in a broader crackdown on Beijing.

“The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-0 on Tuesday to block new approvals for devices with parts from companies on its ‘Covered List’ and to allow the agency to bar previously approved equipment in certain cases. …”

But NBC News reported on Jan. 22, 2026, that “The United States and China have signed off on a deal that hands control of TikTok’s U.S. operations to a group of investors backed by President Donald Trump.

But while millions of TikTok users in the U.S. are no doubt breathing a sigh of relief that a solution has been found to their favorite app, there are other tech bans still moving forward that will likely impact state and local governments.

“The Commerce Department has proposed barring sales of TP-Link products, citing a national security risk from ties to China, people familiar with the matter said. …

“TP-Link has been under fire for at least a year, but with the backing of several US agencies, the Commerce Department is now poised to ban the sale of TP-Link devices in the US. …”

In November 2025, KrebsOnSecurity wrote this piece on “Drilling Down on Uncle Sam’s Proposed TP-Link Ban.” He begins this way: “The U.S. government is reportedly preparing to ban the sale of wireless routers and other networking gear from TP-Link Systems, a tech company that currently enjoys an estimated 50 percent market share among home users and small businesses. Experts say while the proposed ban may have more to do with TP-Link’s ties to China than any specific technical threats, much of the rest of the industry serving this market also sources hardware from China and ships products that are insecure fresh out of the box. …”

In December 2025, PC Magazine wrote this: “Our Favorite Wi-Fi Routers Are Facing a Federal Ban. Here’s Why” — “A key concern among US officials is that the Chinese government could secretly compel TP-Link to assist in spying on or infiltrating American communications or companies. No direct evidence of such spying has ever been found or disclosed, which is why PCMag continues to recommend certain TP-Link products. Still, US officials argue that TP-Link’s routers are insecure, which could enable hackers to easily compromise them and attack US networks.

Of course, this does not even include state and local government employees and their contractors nationwide who also own and use TP-Link equipment and other software on banned product lists.

Also, consider this article from LightReading: “Arizona bill could prohibit range of broadband tech from China.” “The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) is pushing back on a bill introduced in Arizona that could prohibit service providers’ use of broadband technologies made by Chinese companies. …”

Cybersecurity

Dan Lohrmann

Daniel J. Lohrmann is an internationally recognized cybersecurity leader, technologist, keynote speaker and author.

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