This article has been updated since publication to include Lorex’s statement.
Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Lorex Technology Inc. over concerns that its products may be tied to the Chinese Communist Party and present a risk to national security.
Paxton’s probe targets whether Lorex, a security camera company that was previously owned by the Chinese tech giant Dahua, is deceptively marketing surveillance cameras to Texans as safe and secure.
Lorex confirmed that it is aware of the attorney general’s probe and wrote, “We fully intend to contest the allegations made by the Attorney General, and we are confident that a fair hearing will determine that Lorex has taken the appropriate steps to safeguard customer privacy.”
Federal agencies have flagged Dahua as a “Chinese military company” and have implemented bans and restrictions on its products due to hacking and surveillance risks.
Although Lorex was sold to Taiwan-based Skywatch in 2022, reports show Dahua remains a major supplier of critical camera components, raising questions about ongoing CCP influence.
The U.S. Department of Commerce and Federal Communications Commission have placed Dahua devices under scrutiny, and national security experts warn that products linked to Chinese military and surveillance activity could enable unauthorized access or even foreign espionage.
Despite these concerns, Lorex cameras are still widely sold in Texas at popular retailers such as Amazon, Costco, and Best Buy.
Paxton stated, “Texans should never have to worry that the devices protecting their homes could be tied to foreign adversaries. Any company that gives the CCP a foothold in American life will face the full force of Texas law.”
The attorney general’s office is seeking to determine whether Lorex has misled consumers regarding the privacy and security of its devices.
Nebraska and Florida have also been investigating Lorex’s ties to China.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a lawsuit against Lorex, alleging that the company misled consumers by claiming its security cameras were “safe and secure” while concealing ongoing ties and supply chain reliance on Dahua.
