Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued formal warnings to several major Chinese-owned companies—including TP-Link, Alibaba, and CapCut—accusing them of violating the privacy rights of Texas residents.
The companies, identified as being aligned with the Chinese Communist Party, have been given thirty days to comply with the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA).
The TDPSA, which took effect in July 2024, establishes strict requirements for companies handling the personal data of Texas residents. Under the law, businesses must:
- Disclose whether they process consumer data
- Allow consumers to opt out of data collection
- Enable consumers to delete their personal data entirely
The law applies broadly to any company doing business in Texas or providing products or services consumed by Texas residents, with exemptions for small businesses and certain regulated entities.
This latest move is part of a broader privacy and technology enforcement campaign led by Paxton’s office.
Recent actions include an investigation into DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, over concerns about its data privacy practices and alleged ties to the CCP. DeepSeek’s platform has already been banned on all devices owned by the Texas Attorney General’s Office due to security risks.
In his statement, Paxton emphasized his commitment to protecting Texans’ data from foreign influence:
I have notified several Chinese-owned companies that they must stop violating Texas’s privacy laws and protect Texans’ data from falling into the hands of the CCP. Failure to do so will be met with the full force of my office.
If the targeted companies fail to comply within 30 days, Paxton’s office has signaled it will escalate legal action.
Texans concerned about potential violations can submit complaints directly to the Attorney General’s Office.
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