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FCC Bans New Davolink Minions Router Sales

Federal regulators blocked new authorizations for Davolink routers to address ongoing national security concerns.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Telecommunications

Isometric editorial illustration of a minimalist black hardware component, representing a regulatory decision on network device security.
The FCC has blocked new authorizations for foreign-made Davolink routers, citing national security concerns in a move affecting sales across the United States. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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On March 23, 2026, the FCC added specific foreign-produced routers to its Covered List, effectively banning new Davolink Minions models from U.S. authorization. This restriction prevents the sale of new Kevin and Bob routers across the United States.

Why it matters

The FCC restricts these foreign-made devices to address national security concerns. The ruling marks a significant shift for Davolink, which has reported operating losses since 2022.

The Kevin model features a 9.6-inch height, a 2.5 Gbps WAN port, and a 573 Mbps 2.4 GHz band speed, while the Bob model hits a top rated speed of 1.77 Gbps. These devices were originally priced at $62.99 at the time of their online virality.

The players

FCC

The Federal Communications Commission is the independent United States government agency responsible for implementing and enforcing communications laws and regulations.

Davolink

Davolink is a South Korean technology manufacturer that specializes in networking hardware and has faced financial losses since 2022.

The details

The FCC authorizes security patches and compatibility fixes for existing units until January 1, 2029. Exemptions from the ban require companies to disclose component origins and commit to a plan for domestic manufacturing in the United States.

Timeline

  1. January 2023: Davolink debuted the routers at CES.

  2. Summer 2023: Davolink launched the routers in South Korea.

  3. November 2023 to February 2024: The FCC authorized the Kevin and Bob router models.

  4. March 23, 2026: The FCC added foreign-produced routers to the Covered List.

  5. January 1, 2029: Current deadline for allowed security and compatibility patches.

The Tech Race

The action reflects a broader trend of securing the domestic telecommunications supply chain against perceived foreign vulnerabilities. This move mirrors the ongoing efforts to replace legacy, potentially unsecure networking hardware with equipment from approved manufacturers.

Users currently owning Kevin or Bob routers can continue to receive security and compatibility patches through the end of 2028. After January 1, 2029, these devices will stop receiving official software updates, potentially impacting long-term network security.

The takeaway

Owners of restricted devices should monitor the 2029 cutoff for software support as security patches will no longer be provided after this date. Evaluating hardware with current security certifications is a recommended practice for maintaining a safe home network.

Further reading

Learn more about hardware standards and industry updates in the Telecommunications section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Engadget.

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Should the U.S. government ban the sale of new network devices produced in foreign countries?