Yep, always read the fine print. They collect way too much data.
TP-Link Router Manufacturer is under investigation, could be banned in US
- Thread starter rborden
- Start date
Yep, always read the fine print. They collect way too much data.
I've been using Eero for the last 6 years or so and Eero is great for home use, and super easy to get working. Not sure what they have for business or extenders, but it's easy to get pucks to extend the network.
Looks like the Ubiquiti products might be as bad. Their TOS from this reddit thread make them sound shady.
at this point Im not sure there isn't a tech company out there not selling our collective assholes to anyone that wants it for a plugged nickel
in a few years the AI generated psych profile they'll have on every person on earth with a smart device is gonna be astounding. Time to behave as erratically as possible online
in a few years the AI generated psych profile they'll have on every person on earth with a smart device is gonna be astounding. Time to behave as erratically as possible online
I found a site where a guy breaks down some different router brands that are known for having good security features.
Suggested secure routers - RouterSecurity.org
Suggested secure routers - RouterSecurity.org
routersecurity.org
He recommended one particular brand, Peplink, who seems to mainly deal with enterprise networks but he describes them as being capable for personal use. I read through Peplink's privacy policy and they don't seem like they want to go out and **** with people's data. They go by consent and also have an email you can reach out to if you have questions about it. I might pick one of these up once I use my tp-link for target practice.
Peplink Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Your privacy is always our priority. Last updated: October 24th, 2022 This Privacy Policy describes how Peplink (or a Peplink-affiliated company) collects, uses, and shares your personal data when you interact with us through our websites or Peplink’s mobile apps. We may make...
www.peplink.com
I found a site where a guy breaks down some different router brands that are known for having good security features.
Suggested secure routers - RouterSecurity.org
Suggested secure routers - RouterSecurity.org
He recommended one particular brand, Peplink, who seems to mainly deal with enterprise networks but he describes them as being capable for personal use. I read through Peplink's privacy policy and they don't seem like they want to go out and **** with people's data. They go by consent and also have an email you can reach out to if you have questions about it. I might pick one of these up once I use my tp-link for target practice.
Peplink Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Your privacy is always our priority. Last updated: October 24th, 2022 This Privacy Policy describes how Peplink (or a Peplink-affiliated company) collects, uses, and shares your personal data when you interact with us through our websites or Peplink’s mobile apps. We may make...
Hmmm…
So they change it, never notify you, and render any opt out null and void. No thanks.
Show me proof they're providing my personal info to Chinese Intelligence or Russian Intelligence, which is what TP-Link is under investigation for.
So far, I see no such investigation for Ubiquiti. Appears theirs is for marketing purposes. Not lining their firmware with malware and spy tech.
TP-Link also owns smart home brands Kasa and Tapo. I have Tapo cameras, a doorbell, outlet switches and smart bulbs. Everything works great together but if TP-Link gets banned here the sub brands will too.
Our old doorbell was made by EZViz which was owned by Hikvision. Anyway, the parent brand was banned here in the US because it was being used by the CCP to spy on the Uyghur population in China.
techcrunch.com
Our old doorbell was made by EZViz which was owned by Hikvision. Anyway, the parent brand was banned here in the US because it was being used by the CCP to spy on the Uyghur population in China.
US retail giants pull Chinese surveillance tech from shelves | TechCrunch
Home Depot, Best Buy, and Lowe's removed the Chinese video surveillance makers over links to human rights abuses.
techcrunch.com
Consumer wireless and networking is shockingly bad isn't it.
You can link it wirelessly. I forget how to do it but a quick search should find the info he's looking for. I have their AP connected wirelessly and IIRC it was very easy to do.The range on the Ubiquiti Dream 7 Router is about 250 feet.
You can get one of their access point mesh pro . Downside is you'll have to run a hard line (ethernet) from the router to it. PVC conduit should do the trick.
Access Point U6 Mesh Pro - Ubiquiti Store
Indoor/outdoor WiFi 6 AP with 4 spatial streams, an integrated super antenna, and a gigabit passthrough port.store.ui.com
Nice! After getting all my devices connected I didn't end up needing an AP or mesh AP. The signal is great all around the house, inside and out.
Where are the specific routers listed? All I can find is a bunch of mumbo jumbo that most of, I don't understand.I found a site where a guy breaks down some different router brands that are known for having good security features.
Suggested secure routers - RouterSecurity.org
Suggested secure routers - RouterSecurity.org
I've been using Eeros for maybe 7 years now, too. Works great as a mesh system covering the whole house. It controls my Ring system with 5 exterior cameras, two tvs, iPad, two iPhones, two Apple Watches, three Amazon Alexas, stove, dishwasher, audio receiver, two Macs, one PC, two Nest thermostats, maybe a few other devices I'm forgetting.
Saw this in the link above about the various router security and performance. Had no idea Eero was Amazon owned.
The concerns may be valid, but I'm not as concerned about Amazon as I would be some of these other companies under the control of the Chinese government.
Ubiquiti is based in San Jose, CA and owned by Robert J Pera,
ir.ui.com
I dont have to worry about chinese CCP firmware.
If they want my other data for marketing...be my guest.
Board of Directors | Ubiquiti Inc.
I dont have to worry about chinese CCP firmware.
If they want my other data for marketing...be my guest.
So, you called them and asked them where their firmware is developed?Ubiquiti is based in San Jose, CA and owned by Robert J Pera,
Board of Directors | Ubiquiti Inc.
I dont have to worry about chinese CCP firmware.
If they want my other data for marketing...be my guest.
This quote is from page 21 of their Q2 2025 IRS Form 10-Q filing:
"In February 2025, the Office of the United States Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security announced an incremental 10% tariff for products imported into the U.S. from China. This will result in the products that are imported into the U.S. from China after the effective date having additional tariffs imposed on them between 10% and 35%. These tariffs have affected our operating results and margins."
And then there's this, same doc, page 35:
"failure to comply with U.S. and foreign laws related to privacy, data security, cybersecurity and data protection, such as the E.U. Data Protection Directive and China Cybersecurity Law, could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and our brand.”
And on page 38:
"The manufacturing or shipping of our products at one or more facilities may be disrupted because our manufacturing and logistics contractors are primarily located in Vietnam and China. Our principal executive offices are located in New York, New York and we have operations in Ukraine, Taiwan and their surrounding countries."
Yep, an American company through and through...
Hey, I wasn't going after you or something - quite the opposite. My point is that you can't assume a company with its HQ in the USA is selling products made in the USA. All I did was look a little deeper into their operations, as laid out in their public company filings.
If they develop all the firmware in the USA, like Apple does, then it doesn't matter where the finished product is actually manufactured. But, if they're packaging and branding foreign products and selling them as their own, while it's perfectly legit, there might be a security risk. Or not. The thing that got me interested was the "China and Vietnam" language. To evade the US Administration's tariffs on China, Chinese tech companies are moving operations to Vietnam, another country run by a Communist party, so, from a technology standpoint, the words "China and Vietnam" together are basically the same as "China" by itself:
“It’s as if I had never left China”: Vietnam’s tech worker Chinatown
As Chinese manufacturers open shop in Vietnam, Bac Ninh has become a cultural hub with Chinese restaurants, bubble tea shops, and language centers.
Anyway, if you're happy with what you have, no problem. If you're curious, you can call the company's 800# and ask. They'll be ready with an answer and from there you can decide whether you like what you hear or not.
I don't have an axe to grind on any of this - I know where the firmware in my network gear was written. The firewall's older, not Asian and relatively safe, but both it and my TP Link Wi-Fi access point will be replaced with yet another new and much safer unit within the next ten days.
It’s not a cohesive 10-1 list but the author mentions some brands/devices within the mumbo jumbo
I found a site where a guy breaks down some different router brands that are known for having good security features.
Suggested secure routers - RouterSecurity.org
Suggested secure routers - RouterSecurity.org
He recommended one particular brand, Peplink, who seems to mainly deal with enterprise networks but he describes them as being capable for personal use. I read through Peplink's privacy policy and they don't seem like they want to go out and **** with people's data. They go by consent and also have an email you can reach out to if you have questions about it. I might pick one of these up once I use my tp-link for target practice.
Peplink Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Your privacy is always our priority. Last updated: October 24th, 2022 This Privacy Policy describes how Peplink (or a Peplink-affiliated company) collects, uses, and shares your personal data when you interact with us through our websites or Peplink’s mobile apps. We may make...
His section on Ubiquiti is a little out of date considering its based on a news story that turned out to be fake
I understand his arguments for maximum security on devices by not having cloud based accounts, truth of the matter is a lot of people are going to sacrifice absolute privacy for some convenience.
Hey, I wasn't going after you or something - quite the opposite. My point is that you can't assume a company with its HQ in the USA is selling products made in the USA. All I did was look a little deeper into their operations, as laid out in their public company filings.
If they develop all the firmware in the USA, like Apple does, then it doesn't matter where the finished product is actually manufactured. But, if they're packaging and branding foreign products and selling them as their own, while it's perfectly legit, there might be a security risk. Or not. The thing that got me interested was the "China and Vietnam" language. To evade the US Administration's tariffs on China, Chinese tech companies are moving operations to Vietnam, another country run by a Communist party, so, from a technology standpoint, the words "China and Vietnam" together are basically the same as "China" by itself:
“It’s as if I had never left China”: Vietnam’s tech worker Chinatown
As Chinese manufacturers open shop in Vietnam, Bac Ninh has become a cultural hub with Chinese restaurants, bubble tea shops, and language centers.restofworld.org
Anyway, if you're happy with what you have, no problem. If you're curious, you can call the company's 800# and ask. They'll be ready with an answer and from there you can decide whether you like what you hear or not.
I don't have an axe to grind on any of this - I know where the firmware in my network gear was written. The firewall's older, not Asian and relatively safe, but both it and my TP Link Wi-Fi access point will be replaced with yet another new and much safer unit within the next ten days.
AFAIK all the software dev is done in San Jose. The company was founded by ex-Apple engineers. It's no secret the devices are made in China, just like iPhones. They're not buying devices off ali express, re-branding it and selling it with their own logo.
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