Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Lorex Technology Inc., probing whether the security camera company’s alleged ties to China pose national security risks to Texans and Americans.
The investigation centers on concerns that Lorex may be deceptively marketing its home security products as safe and secure despite potential connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through its supply chain relationships with Dahua, a Chinese firm that has been designated by the U.S. Department of Defense as a “Chinese military company.”
“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.”
A Complex Corporate History
The corporate lineage behind Lorex raises eyebrows. Founded in 1991, Lorex was acquired by Dahua in 2012 before being sold to Taiwan-based Skywatch in 2022. But has the connection been truly severed? Reports indicate that Dahua continues to supply key components for Lorex cameras, creating a backdoor supply chain relationship that has caught the attention of state and federal authorities.
The Texas Attorney General’s office will specifically examine whether Lorex is engaging in deceptive marketing practices by promoting its products as secure for home use “despite knowledge of their national security and privacy risks,” according to a statement from Paxton’s office.
What makes this particularly troubling for consumers is the products’ widespread availability. Despite federal scrutiny of Dahua, Lorex cameras continue to be widely sold throughout Texas at major retailers including Amazon, Costco, and Best Buy, leaving many Texans potentially exposed to security vulnerabilities.
Federal Concerns Mount
This isn’t just a Texas issue. Multiple federal agencies have taken action against Dahua, Lorex’s former parent company and alleged ongoing supplier. The U.S. Department of Commerce and Federal Communications Commission have both imposed restrictions on Dahua products, citing serious hacking, surveillance, and espionage risks.
The investigation in Texas follows similar actions in other states. Nebraska’s attorney general has already filed a lawsuit against Lorex, alleging the company engaged in deceptive marketing regarding the safety and privacy of its products.
“The Attorney General’s Office stated that it would investigate whether Lorex is deceptively marketing products as secure and safe for residential use, despite knowledge of their national security and privacy risks,” according to documents from Paxton’s office.
The irony isn’t lost on security experts: devices meant to protect American homes might potentially be compromised by foreign interests. For now, the investigation continues, but Paxton’s message to companies with potential ties to the CCP is clear — Texas is watching, even through your cameras.
