Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into security camera company Lorex Technology Inc., citing concerns that its products could be secretly connected to the Chinese Communist Party and pose national security risks to Americans.
The probe, announced this week, targets Lorex’s potential misrepresentations to consumers who purchased what they believed were secure home monitoring systems. At issue is the company’s ongoing relationship with Chinese surveillance giant Dahua, which has been flagged by multiple U.S. agencies as a security threat.
“Texans should never have to worry that the devices protecting their homes could be tied to foreign adversaries,” Paxton stated in a press release. “Any company that gives the CCP a foothold in American life will face the full force of Texas law.”
A Complicated Corporate History
The tangled ownership web behind Lorex raises significant questions. Founded in 1991, the company was acquired by Dahua in 2012, only to be sold to Taiwan-based Skywatch a decade later in 2022. That sale, however, didn’t completely sever ties — Dahua reportedly continues to manufacture key components for Lorex cameras.
Why does this matter? Dahua has been designated as a “Chinese military company” by the U.S. Department of War. Both the Department of Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission have imposed restrictions on Dahua products due to national security concerns.
The investigation centers on whether Lorex has misled Texas consumers by marketing its cameras as safe and secure while potentially exposing homes to privacy and security risks through their connection to a company with alleged ties to the Chinese government.
Still Available Despite Concerns
Perhaps most troubling for investigators is the fact that despite federal restrictions on Dahua’s products, Lorex cameras remain widely available to Texas consumers through major retailers including Amazon and Costco.
Security experts have long warned about the potential vulnerabilities in internet-connected security cameras, particularly those with components manufactured by companies with questionable data practices or government connections.
Is your home security system actually making you less secure? That’s the question at the heart of Paxton’s investigation, which could have implications far beyond Texas if evidence emerges that Lorex has indeed misled consumers about the security of their products.
The investigation comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and China over technology and security issues, with various Chinese tech companies facing increased scrutiny from U.S. regulators and lawmakers.
Neither Lorex nor its parent company Skywatch have publicly responded to the investigation announcement as of press time. The outcome could potentially reshape how security cameras with international supply chains are marketed and sold to American consumers concerned about both their physical and digital privacy.
