Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has set his sights on a new target: your home security cameras.
In an announcement made on October 29, 2025, Paxton launched an investigation into Lorex Technology Inc., probing whether the widely available security cameras pose national security risks due to alleged ties with the Chinese Communist Party. The investigation centers on concerns that Lorex may be deceptively marketing its surveillance products as safe for residential use despite potential foreign influence.
“Texans should never have to worry that the devices protecting their homes could be tied to foreign adversaries,” Paxton stated. “Any company that gives the CCP a foothold in American life will face the full force of Texas law.”
Chinese Connections Under Scrutiny
The investigation specifically targets Lorex’s relationship with Dahua Technology, a Chinese company that the U.S. Department of Defense has designated as a “Chinese military company.” Though Lorex was sold by Dahua to Taiwan-based Skywatch in 2022, Paxton’s office alleges that Dahua continues to supply key components for Lorex cameras.
Why does this matter? The ongoing supply chain connection raises red flags about potential backdoor access, data security vulnerabilities, and surveillance capabilities that could compromise American homes and businesses. Federal agencies have already imposed restrictions on Dahua products, citing hacking, surveillance, and espionage risks.
Despite these serious federal warnings, Lorex cameras remain readily available throughout Texas at major retailers including Amazon, Costco, and Best Buy. The cameras are marketed as secure solutions for protecting homes, businesses, and even children’s bedrooms.
Part of a Broader Pattern
Texas isn’t going it alone. The investigation follows similar action in Nebraska, where Attorney General Mike Hilgers has taken an even more aggressive stance. Hilgers filed a 39-page lawsuit against Lorex, alleging the company deliberately misled consumers by promoting its cameras as “private by design” while concealing its reliance on Dahua.
The Nebraska complaint specifically calls out Lorex for marketing its products as safe for sensitive areas like children’s bedrooms, despite the company’s ties to a firm sanctioned by the U.S. for national security concerns and human rights violations.
Security experts have long warned about the potential risks of internet-connected cameras with questionable supply chains. Could the very devices meant to protect American homes be creating vulnerabilities instead?
Paxton’s office stated it would investigate whether Lorex is engaging in deceptive marketing practices by presenting its products as secure despite potential knowledge of national security and privacy risks. The Texas Attorney General’s consumer protection division will lead the inquiry.
For consumers who already own these devices, the investigation raises uncomfortable questions about the security of systems they’ve installed to protect their families and property. The case also highlights the increasingly complex challenge of navigating technology supply chains in an era of rising geopolitical tensions.
As one security camera watches your front door, the question remains: who might be watching through that camera?
