TP-Link routers may be banned in the US in the next year, The Wall Street Journal reports. The Shenzhen-based router manufacturer is allegedly under investigation by the Commerce, Defense and Justice Departments over security concerns and ties to Chinese cyberattacks.

The potential ban on TP-Link products is part of a broader effort by the U.S. to scrutinize Chinese technology companies over security risks. Previous actions have targeted giants like Huawei and ZTE, which were accused of posing threats to national security through their telecommunications equipment.

Some of the world's most popular router and modem models have been connected to several high-profile hacking incidents. (Also, they're made in China.)

Whether under Trump, who banned the sale of Huawei products in the U.S. to Biden, whose administration is working on banning TikTok and DJI Drones, these sorts of bans have largely been enacted under the auspices of national security and claimed threats of Chinese spying or hacking activity.

The U.S. is probing whether popular home internet routers sold by China’s TP-Link Technologies threaten national security and considering whether they should be banned, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, after Microsoft linked the devices to a Chinese hacking group.

The U.S. is considering banning the sale of TP-Link internet routers, which are made in China, over concerns the home devices pose a security risk, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Washington is investigating TP-Link for national security reasons, with some sources saying a ban for the popular router brand is in the works.

The Journal reported that U.S. officials could block domestic sales of TP-Link routers next year. The ban would be implemented by OICTS, the Commerce Department office leading one of the investigations into the company. The office previously blocked Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky from selling its software in the U.S.

Experts warn that hacked devices can serve as entry points for corporate espionage, DDoS attacks on enterprise systems, and the interception of sensitive information over VPNs.