The Texas Attorney General opened an investigation into TP-Link Systems Inc. for potentially allowing the Chinese government to access Texans' consumer data through back doors in networking equipment. The investigation will examine whether TP Link violated Texas privacy law by misleading consumers about its independence and improperly collecting or disclosing data. This follows a prior privacy notice violation issued to the company.
In-house legal teams should review contracts with networking equipment and technology hardware vendors to ensure they include clauses requiring disclosure of foreign ownership or affiliations, certification of no backdoors or unauthorized data access mechanisms, and compliance with applicable state privacy laws including Texas privacy regulations. Teams should verify that contracts mandate prompt disclosure of security vulnerabilities, accurate privacy notices to consumers, and authorization for all consumer data collection and sharing. Existing clauses related to data security, third-party data access, and privacy notice accuracy should be updated to address risks of foreign government data access and inadequate security practices highlighted in this investigation.
Entity
TP-Link Systems Inc.
Also known as: TP-Link
Industry
TechnologyOfficial Press Release
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-investigates-whether-major-tech-company-allowing-chinese-government
attorney general ken paxton takes legal action against chine
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-takes-legal-action-against-chinese-companies-violating-texans-privacy
Texas Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/privacy
"TP-Link Systems Inc. (“TP Link”)"
"October 06, 2025 | Press Release"
"Texas law"
"Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation against TP-Link Systems Inc."
"in violation of Texas privacy law"
"violating Texas law"
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against TP-Link Systems Inc. for deceptively marketing its networking devices and enabling the Chinese Communist Party to access American consumers' devices. The lawsuit alleges that TP Link's products have been used by PRC state-sponsored hackers and that the company is subject to Chinese laws requiring data disclosure. This is part of a coordinated effort to hold China-aligned companies accountable under Texas law.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued an investigative subpoena to TP-Link Systems Inc. as part of a consumer protection investigation into the company’s cybersecurity practices, supply-chain infrastructure, and handling of U.S. consumer data, including allegations of unauthorized data sharing with the Chinese Communist Party. The probe will determine if TP-Link misled customers about foreign government access to their personal data, which would violate the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, with no findings of wrongdoing yet.
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