CHINESE SPY CAMS: Nebraska‘s top law enforcer has declared war on a popular home security company that’s allegedly putting American families at risk of Chinese spying—right through the cameras meant to keep them safe.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a bombshell 39-page lawsuit Tuesday against Lorex, a security camera maker whose products line the shelves at retail giants like Costco and Best Buy, Fox News Digital has learned. The lawsuit alleges the company misled consumers by marketing its cameras as “private by design” while secretly relying on technology from a Chinese surveillance company sanctioned by the U.S. government.
MADE IN CHINA, WATCHING FROM CHINA
The explosive legal complaint claims Lorex cameras—marketed as safe for even the most private areas like children’s bedrooms—actually depend on technology from Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., a Chinese surveillance firm that’s legally required to assist Beijing‘s sweeping intelligence operations.
“The Chinese Communist Party poses a direct threat to American security, including through market actors who create or exploit security to American consumers,” Hilgers told Fox News Digital. “This is a national issue, and we are leading the fight in Nebraska against these companies who enable CCP influence and surveillance.”
Lorex’s 2K Dual Lens Indoor camera, which is prominently featured at major U.S. retailers such as Costco, Best Buy, Kohl’s, and Home Depot, closely resembles Dahua’s “H5D-5F” and “H3D-3F” models, according to the complaint. This suggests the products share more than just a passing resemblance—they likely share critical technology components and potentially software architecture.
THE CHINA CONNECTION HIDDEN FROM AMERICAN FAMILIES
What most American consumers don’t know is that Lorex was actually owned by Dahua until recently. The Chinese firm acquired Lorex in 2018, but has since divested following increased U.S. scrutiny. However, the lawsuit alleges the technology ties remain strong despite the ownership change.
The U.S. Department of Commerce added Dahua to its economic sanctions list in 2019 due to the company’s role in enabling human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in China, particularly in the Xinjiang region. The U.S. Department of Defense is prohibited from purchasing Dahua products under the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
These sanctions effectively banned federal agencies from using Dahua technology, but through companies like Lorex, the same technology has continued flowing into American homes—all while being marketed as “private” and “secure.”
NEBRASKA LEADS NATIONAL SECURITY FIGHT
The timing of Hilgers‘ lawsuit is significant, as it represents one of the most aggressive actions yet by a state attorney general to address Chinese technology threats at the consumer level.
“When it comes to products that may be used to monitor children and inside Nebraska homes, this deception is both alarming and unacceptable,” Hilgers said. The lawsuit was filed in Nebraska State Court on September 23, 2025.
The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office is demanding Lorex stop its deceptive marketing practices and provide clear disclosures about its Chinese technology connections. The lawsuit also seeks penalties and restitution for Nebraska consumers who purchased the products without knowing the potential security risks.
SECURITY EXPERTS SOUND THE ALARM
Michael Lucci, CEO of national security organization State Armor, has been leading efforts to get states to take action against Chinese surveillance technologies. His organization works with state governments to identify and mitigate security threats from foreign adversaries.
“Lorex products shouldn’t just say ‘Made in China,’ they should say ‘Watching from China,'” Lucci said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “By hiding its reliance on a CCP-controlled company sanctioned for human rights abuses and national security risks, Lorex is lying to American families.”
Lucci has been vocal about the systemic risks posed by Chinese surveillance technology, warning that these devices create potential backdoors for espionage. “Marketing these cameras as ‘private by design’ while all the data is back-doored by Beijing is not just false advertising, it’s a direct threat to individual privacy and American national security,” he added.
RETAILERS UNDER PRESSURE
This isn’t the first time retailers have faced pressure over selling Chinese surveillance products. In late 2023, some U.S. retailers began pulling products made by companies linked to human rights abuses in China. However, many major retailers continue to sell Lorex cameras despite the growing concerns.
The lawsuit specifically names Costco, Best Buy, Kohl’s, and Home Depot as retailers selling the questionable Lorex products, putting additional pressure on these companies to reconsider their inventory decisions.
GROWING BIPARTISAN CONCERN
The issue of Chinese technology in American homes and businesses has increasingly become a bipartisan concern. Lawmakers from both parties in the U.S. Congress have warned that the Chinese government exploits business investments in the U.S. as cover for espionage activities.
These warnings have intensified in recent years amid growing scrutiny of Beijing‘s influence operations on U.S. soil. State-level initiatives to combat Chinese influence have been growing, with organizations like State Armor helping to craft policy solutions.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR HOME SECURITY
For American consumers who own Lorex cameras, the lawsuit raises serious questions about the security of their homes and privacy of their families. The cameras, which are often installed in bedrooms, living rooms, and other intimate spaces, could potentially be transmitting data to servers accessible by Chinese authorities.
Security experts recommend that consumers who own these devices:
- Check if their model is mentioned in the lawsuit
- Consider replacing devices with brands that have no connection to sanctioned Chinese companies
- Ensure all firmware is updated, though this may not eliminate all security concerns
- Place cameras only in areas where privacy is less critical, such as exteriors
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Nebraska lawsuit represents a significant escalation in America’s technological cold war with China. As tensions between the two superpowers grow, consumer technology has increasingly become a battlefield for national security concerns.
“This is about more than just one company or one product,” said Hilgers. “This is about protecting American families from foreign surveillance and holding companies accountable when they put profit ahead of national security.”
The case could set a precedent for other states to follow, potentially leading to a nationwide reckoning with Chinese technology in American homes.
FAQ SECTION
Q: How can I tell if my security cameras are affected by this lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit specifically targets Lorex cameras, particularly models like the 2K Dual Lens Indoor camera. Check your product packaging or documentation to identify your camera’s manufacturer and model number.
Q: What exactly is the connection between Lorex and China?
A: According to the lawsuit, Lorex relies on technology from Dahua, a Chinese company that’s been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Commerce for its role in human rights abuses and national security concerns. Dahua previously owned Lorex but has since divested.
Q: Are other home security cameras safe from these concerns?
A: Not necessarily. Consumers should research camera manufacturers and their supply chains before purchasing. Look for companies that are transparent about their technology sources and data security practices.
Q: What action is the Nebraska Attorney General seeking with this lawsuit?
A: AG Hilgers is demanding that Lorex stop its deceptive marketing practices, provide clear disclosures about its Chinese technology connections, and pay penalties and restitution to Nebraska consumers who purchased the products.
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