Ethical Hacking News
TP-Link accuses Netgear of orchestrating a malicious smear campaign over alleged China ties, claiming the rival has spread false information about its products' security and portrayed it as a national-security risk. The lawsuit marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over cybersecurity, disinformation, and national security concerns.
TP-Link has filed a lawsuit against Netgear, alleging a malicious "smear campaign" aimed at portraying TP-Link as a national-security risk. The smear campaign allegedly began with comments from Netgear's CEO, Charles Prober, referencing a Microsoft blog post about TP-Link's involvement in a botnet. TP-Link claims that the information was taken out of context and misinterpreted by Prober as evidence of TP-Link's role in national security threats. The lawsuit cites exhibits from Netgear's earnings calls, where the company allegedly spread false information about TP-Link's products' security.
TP-Link, a prominent networking vendor, has filed a lawsuit against its rival Netgear, alleging that the latter has conducted a malicious "smear campaign" aimed at portraying TP-Link as a national-security risk in the United States. The complaint, filed in Delaware, asserts that Netgear's CEO, Charles Prober, and other industry personalities have disseminated false information about TP-Link's security and alleged ties to the Chinese government.
According to TP-Link, the smear campaign began during Netgear's earnings calls, where Prober made comments referencing a Microsoft blog post that highlighted TP-Link's involvement in a botnet used to carry out password spraying attacks. The company claims that this information was taken out of context and misinterpreted by Prober as evidence of TP-Link's role in national security threats.
TP-Link points to the February 5 earnings call as an example of Netgear's disinformation campaign, where Prober referenced a Microsoft blog post on Storm-0940, a state-sponsored group that had recruited TP-Link routers for its botnet. The company alleges that Prober's statements were "false and misleading" and that the media outlets picked up on these claims without critically evaluating them.
The lawsuit also cites exhibits from numerous earnings calls held by Netgear with analysts, investors, and journalists, where TP-Link alleges that the vendor spread false information about its products' security. Furthermore, TP-Link claims that Netgear "fed false and misleading information to third parties" and "retained prominent industry personalities and influential commentators to propagate its false messages."
In response to The Register's inquiry, Netgear stated that it is aware of the complaint filed by TP-Link and plans to respond through the appropriate legal channels. The company maintained its focus on innovation, product security, and customer service, despite the allegations.
It is worth noting that reports in news media have suggested that multiple US government agencies have launched investigations into TP-Link over alleged ties to the Chinese government. However, these claims remain unsubstantiated at this time.
This lawsuit highlights the increasingly complex landscape of cybersecurity threats and disinformation campaigns, particularly in the context of high-stakes business rivalries. As companies navigate these challenges, it is essential for them to prioritize transparency, accuracy, and fact-based communication to avoid reputational damage and protect their interests.
In conclusion, TP-Link's lawsuit against Netgear marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over cybersecurity, disinformation, and national security concerns. The outcome of this case will have important implications for the networking industry and beyond, as companies grapple with the challenges of maintaining security and trust in an increasingly complex technological landscape.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/TP-Link-Accuses-Netgear-of-Orchestrating-Smear-Campaign-Over-Alleged-China-Ties-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/11/20/tplink_sues_netgear/
Published: Thu Nov 20 10:30:05 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
