FCC extends waiver allowing routers and drones to get patches for two more years.
See full article...
See full article...
FCC slightly relaxes foreign router ban, allows software updates until 2029
- Thread starter JournalBot
- Start date
Seems like now is a good time to start looking in to rolling my own router, huh?
Upvote
116
(118
/
-2)
Because existing foreign routers from untrustworthy vendors surely cannot get malicious updates from an untrustworthy foreign vendor.
Upvote
171
(173
/
-2)
I wanna know who managed to make some progress on getting it through to them what a monumentally bad idea it is to force people into running old unsupported routers.
Last edited:
Upvote
64
(68
/
-4)
Heck, I don’t trust that consumer-grade domestic routers won’t be compromised for the right price. And I also don’t trust this administration’s judgment about what is or isn’t harmful.
Upvote
164
(167
/
-3)
It's always been a good time.
Unfortunately, that's beyond the skills of basically everyone. I can only see this policy making shit worse for normal people.
Upvote
127
(127
/
0)
Curiously, this is a place where AI might have helped us. Washington DC is currently going nuts about the threat of Claude Mythos powered super-hackers; it's forcing Trump to revisit forbidden topics like AI safety.
This would be a good time to sneak in any pro-social cybersecurity policies. "Mr. President, tough privacy regulations are the only way to prevent evil AI from leaking unredacted copies of the Epstein Files!"
Upvote
71
(72
/
-1)
The problem with any blanket banning is that is ignoring the real concerns (if it really is about concerns), and that any router is vulnerable. Just take a single US made router, as an example, and it could have a poisoned firmware update which could make it part of a botnet or put it under monitoring of an actor within or external to the borders.
Just ask CISCO about the CIA (see here).
Just ask CISCO about the CIA (see here).
Upvote
63
(63
/
0)
Upvote
15
(17
/
-2)
I hope Ubiquiti gets an exemption. There are precious few actual good routers out there. Ones that don't require occasional reboots, because some part of the system stopped working. I never have to reboot my Ubiquitis.
Upvote
15
(26
/
-11)
This entire policy only exists to cut TP-Link out of the US market because they're cheaper and better than US brands. Same reason we aren't allowed to buy Chinese EVs. Bullshit protectionism masquerading as a national security concern.
Upvote
125
(134
/
-9)
I’ve been using pfsense myself for 8ish years. It was a little overwhelming at first but I’ve eventually grown into it. Now I have site to site WireGuard, VLANs, adblocking, schedules and a whole bunch of other stuff going on. Overall recommended!
Upvote
26
(26
/
0)
So, to make Americans safer, the galaxy brain FCC is giving manufacturers a reason to either delay or prevent updating the firmware on devices with US IPs, as well as a reason to not bother developing any updates at all?
Upvote
35
(36
/
-1)
When the US government bars foreign vendors from selling to me, my first thought isn’t that they want to protect MY security and privacy, because they have fought hard to strip away my protections of that kind. I’m more inclined to think they are protecting THEIR power to break my security and privacy, a thing they have worked hard to build up and made more difficult for them if I buy from foreign vendors.
This does not, of course automatically make foreign vendors trustworthy. It just means there aren’t a lot of good choices left without strong legal protections and government transparency.
This does not, of course automatically make foreign vendors trustworthy. It just means there aren’t a lot of good choices left without strong legal protections and government transparency.
Upvote
118
(118
/
0)
Will xfinity and verizon raise the rental prices of their routers to meet these additional restrictions?
Upvote
40
(40
/
0)
The moment any of my routers die i'm building my own. And I may lock down updates. Any router being sold past this point will be exploited.
Upvote
8
(8
/
0)
MilanKraft
Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
Or anything else important that requires actual depth of knowledge and sound judgement. Cases in point: all things MAHA; all things Brendan Carr; all things Department of Warring Douchebag.
Upvote
25
(25
/
0)
So Starlink, Amazon, and Netgear are exempted, despite the factories for their gear also being overseas in essentially the same facilities as the non-exempted gear? Am I understanding that right?
Upvote
108
(108
/
0)
Excuse my ignorance, but aren't all routers foreign-made anyway? I am not familiar with anything that is physically made in the U.S.
Upvote
82
(82
/
0)
Upvote
55
(55
/
0)
Hypocritical ignoramuses
No foreign routers, no DJI multicopters.
But robot dogs with wide open no security access except tight security around the "phone home to Bejing" part. Ok to buy for US Marines and private security rentacop idiots
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lA8WuXDXfcI
Who paid off who for this crap!!??
No foreign routers, no DJI multicopters.
But robot dogs with wide open no security access except tight security around the "phone home to Bejing" part. Ok to buy for US Marines and private security rentacop idiots
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lA8WuXDXfcI
Who paid off who for this crap!!??
Upvote
48
(49
/
-1)
I use OPNsense on a cheap-ish router mini PC with wireless provided by Ubiquiti. Originally only partly for security, mostly because consumer level routers are made so poorly they die after a couple of years at most IME.
I had a Linksys WRT54G that remained in active service for years (running custom firmware) before Cisco bought them and their quality went in the toilet. Their newer stuff was terrible and the stuff that was half decent was expensive enough to make a custom build cost effective, only without needing to rely on the manufacturer for updates.
I had a Linksys WRT54G that remained in active service for years (running custom firmware) before Cisco bought them and their quality went in the toilet. Their newer stuff was terrible and the stuff that was half decent was expensive enough to make a custom build cost effective, only without needing to rely on the manufacturer for updates.
Upvote
12
(12
/
0)
For a edge router it's hard to beat something like a Protectli 2,3 or 4-port device with OPNSense on it. PLenty of plugins to do fancier stuff if you so desire.
For wireless? Just plain APs are fine. Personally, the Ubiquiti Alien router they sell (works fine as just an AP) is the best personal single AP device I've ever had for personal use and I run them in a mesh with the wireless backhaul to connect upstairs and downstairs.
For wireless? Just plain APs are fine. Personally, the Ubiquiti Alien router they sell (works fine as just an AP) is the best personal single AP device I've ever had for personal use and I run them in a mesh with the wireless backhaul to connect upstairs and downstairs.
Upvote
3
(3
/
0)
That’s the point where the new round of
Upvote
22
(22
/
0)
Because Ubiquiti doesn't manufacture in the US. Same with all the other US based router company's and why this story exists.My Ubiquiti's reboot any time I apply an update.
They're also an American company, so not sure why you're talking about them at all
Upvote
56
(58
/
-2)
Upvote
8
(8
/
0)
Ubiquiti is a US based company but the FCC rule uses the phrase "foreign made routers" that could be interpreted as Ubiquiti as well since the actual equipment is manufactured outside the US.My Ubiquiti's reboot any time I apply an update.
They're also an American company, so not sure why you're talking about them at all
I think most network companies are trying to decide if the bribe to the current administration would be less pain than going to court. After all with ABC and Disney this administration has shown they really don't care about the money you paid before, they will try to extort more out of you.
A lot of C-levels, boardrooms and legal teams have most likely spent a lot of time trying to figure out the impacts.
Personally, I think this is one of those times to go to court and battle it out there. This rule to ban BUT you can get an exemption smells to me like violating RICO laws. Although no DA or AG has ever tried to prosecute the orange menace under those laws even though they had enough to do so.
Upvote
54
(55
/
-1)
Im sorry but how would they really stop software updates? This seems stupid. Theyre going to block me from downloading an updated firmware on a device I already own? Sure they can limit the sale but that doesn't seem within their power - and if it is - like it would work.
Upvote
27
(27
/
0)
Non-refundable deposit! Good luck! Don't look at news stories about that phone!
Starlink terminals apparently met the bar on being consumer-oriented, routing, and country of origin. Not exactly the general-purpose thing you think of, though, what with the big phased array and outdoor installation.
Upvote
13
(13
/
0)
This is pretty much the real answer. Every time the Trump regime screams "national security" it's really not about that. They cry wolf constantly on that while themselves setting up a surveillance state that does all the things they claim are bad.
Of course, if they can afford a big enough "campaign donation", they can probably get an exemption.
Upvote
35
(36
/
-1)
Upvote
7
(7
/
0)
It sounds like this FCC is incompetent. Or, they are trying to setup a pay-to-play scheme to enrich the current corrupt administration. I am pointing the finger at POTUS.
Upvote
14
(14
/
0)
Yep, my bad. Added a note to my original post to prevent further pile-on
Upvote
4
(5
/
-1)
Routers and "windmills" ...the biggest threats to national security in our lifetime. (/s)
Upvote
33
(33
/
0)