Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has initiated legal action against Lorex, a home security camera manufacturer, alleging deceptive practices that expose consumers to potential data risks linked to Chinese surveillance. The lawsuit, filed on October 9, claims Lorex concealed material facts about its products' susceptibility to being accessed by China and the Chinese Communist Party. This is not the first time Lorex has faced legal scrutiny; Nebraska, Texas, and Missouri have also pursued similar cases against the company.
At the heart of the lawsuit is Lorex's historical connection to Zhejiang Dahua Technology, a Chinese surveillance firm on the Pentagon's list of military-linked companies. Although Lorex's ownership shifted from Dahua to Taiwan-based Skywatch, the complaint asserts that the company still markets products using components and technology from Dahua. Bird emphasized the concern over Chinese-backed companies accessing private data, stating, 'Iowa parents want to be sure their baby is getting a good, safe night's sleep. They shouldn't have to worry that the Chinese government can also view that footage.'
The lawsuit references China's 2017 National Intelligence Law, which mandates cooperation with national intelligence efforts, and the 2021 Regulations on the Management of Security Vulnerabilities in Network Products, which could allow Chinese authorities to learn of security flaws before companies can address them. These laws cast doubt on Lorex's claims that its cameras are 'private by design' and that they ensure data privacy. The complaint also criticizes Lorex's disclaimer on its FAQ page, which it argues misleadingly downplays security concerns by suggesting they are limited to federal use.
Bird is seeking reimbursement, civil penalties, and fees for Lorex's alleged violations of Iowa's Consumer Fraud Act. The lawsuit follows recent actions against other Chinese-linked companies, including ADI Global Distribution and TP-Link Systems, which Bird has also sued for concealing ties to Chinese manufacturers. The legal actions underscore growing concerns over data security and foreign influence in consumer technology.