Missouri Attorney General Sues Baby Monitor Maker Over China Ties
Missouri's attorney general filed suit Monday against Lorex, alleging the company hid its ownership links to a firm the Pentagon labeled a Chinese military company. The complaint seeks damages and an injunction under state consumer law.
Washington ExaminerMissouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a lawsuit Monday against Lorex, alleging the baby monitor maker concealed its ties to Zhejiang Dahua Technology. The Pentagon designated Dahua a Chinese military company in 2022. The complaint states that Lorex hardware and software route data directly to Dahua, giving the Chinese firm access to video and audio from Missouri households.
Dahua previously owned Lorex before Taiwan-based Skywatch Innovation acquired the brand.
Missouri alleges Lorex withheld information about its material ties to the Chinese government from consumers and retailers. The suit invokes the state's Merchandising Practices Act and seeks up to $1,000 per Missouri buyer over the past five years, plus damages exceeding $1.8 million and injunctive relief.
Lorex products are sold at Best Buy, Staples, Costco, Menards, Micro Center, and Office Depot stores, as well as through its website, Amazon, and other online retailers. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a comparable lawsuit earlier this year.
