Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has filed a lawsuit against Lorex Corporation, a major seller of home cameras and baby monitors. The lawsuit alleges Lorex has concealed material ties to the Chinese military via its manufacturer, Dahua, putting families at risk.
Lorex has maintained ties to Dahua—its former owner and an ongoing supplier of components—despite the U.S. Department of Defense designating Dahua as a Chinese Military Company that threatens national security, has maintained ties to Dahua—its former owner and an ongoing supplier of components—despite the U.S. Department of Defense designating Dahua as a Chinese Military Company that threatens national security, according to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
The lawsuit alleges Lorex’s ties to the Chinese government put Missourians’ data and security at risk.
Lorex misrepresented and omitted fundamental facts not only to consumers, but to the retailers Missourians rely on to vet products sold in their stores, concealing Dahua’s, and in turn the CCP’s, involvement and threat to national security, the lawsuit alleges.
“Lorex tells families its video cameras are ‘private by design’ while concealing ties to a Chinese military company,” said Hanaway. “These cameras watch our babies breathe, capture our children’s voices, and record families’ most intimate moments. When companies won’t tell the truth about their connection to hostile foreign governments, my office will step in to protect families.”
Lorex products are sold at Best Buy, Staples, Costco, Menards, Micro Center, and Office Depot, and online via the Lorex website, Amazon, and other third-party retailers.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit against Lorex, filed in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, seeks strong remedies under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. This includes restitution of up to $1,000 for each Missouri consumer who was sold a Lorex camera over the past five years, damages exceeding $1.8 million, and injunctive relief barring continued illegal and false statements that misrepresent product security.
Nebraska and Texas have filed similar lawsuits against Lorex.
Source: Missouri Attorney General’s Office
Topics
Lawsuits
China
Manufacturing
Missouri
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