Lawsuit targets Chinese tech in home security cameras

Most people shop for cameras at stores like Costco or Best Buy without giving a second thought to who manufactures the technology inside. Now, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has filed a lawsuit against Lorex Corporation and Lorex Technology Inc., accusing them of deceiving consumers about serious security flaws in cameras sold at these retailers and others across the U.S.

The case alleges that Lorex marketed its devices as “private by design” and safe for bedrooms and nurseries, while relying on components from Dahua, a Chinese surveillance firm sanctioned in the U.S. for national security and human rights concerns.

Credit: Lorex

Why Chinese tech in home cameras matters

Cameras are often placed in the most private areas of our homes. If the underlying hardware comes from a company flagged by the U.S. government, it raises questions about who might access those feeds. Dahua is required by Chinese law to share data with authorities upon request. Federal agencies have already restricted their equipment, citing national security risks.

Nebraska’s lawsuit argues Lorex kept families in the dark about these ties while telling them the cameras were safe.

Credit: Lorex

Key claims in the Nebraska home camera lawsuit

• Marketing described products as “private by design” and safe for sensitive rooms.
• Lorex cameras allegedly mirror Dahua models and depend on Dahua components and services.
• Dahua sits on the FCC Covered List, and the FCC barred new approvals for covered gear in 2022.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers told CyberGuy in a statement that,

“Lorex’s relationship with Dahua is jeopardizing the privacy and security of Nebraska consumers and putting the most intimate areas of the home at risk of exploitation. This kind of deceptive and dangerous conduct will not be tolerated in Nebraska under my watch.”

Lorex disputes the claims and, in a statement to CyberGuy, said,

“At Lorex, we are proud to support millions of homeowners and businesses in North America who trust us to provide reliable security solutions that safeguard their families and livelihoods. The trust that our customers place in us defines the Lorex brand.

Lorex confirms that it is aware of the lawsuit from the Nebraska Attorney General. 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.”

The case will test how much rebranded equipment from other manufacturers can be used before companies must disclose the true source to consumers.

Credit: Lorex

Home camera privacy and security risks explained

If a camera’s core hardware or firmware comes from a barred supplier, hidden flaws could expose video, audio, or your home network. That risk grows when cameras watch kids’ rooms or entryways. U.S. regulators treat these suppliers as a national security concern.

How to check if your camera uses Dahua technology

Use these quick checks before you move or replace anything. You can do them in minutes.

1) Check the model and firmware strings

Open the camera app or web portal. Find Device Info or About. Look for telltale prefixes often used in Dahua naming, like DH- or DHI- in model or firmware strings. Dahua’s own naming rules reference these patterns.

2) Look for OEM clues in the interface

Some OEM units show “General” or neutral branding in firmware notes or update files. Community docs describe Dahua OEM firmware using General_ or DH_ file names. If you see those in update packages or logs, that is a strong hint.

3) Check the FCC filing for the exact hardware

Find the camera’s FCC ID on its label or within the app. Search it in the FCC database. Confirm the original applicant and any references to covered suppliers. This reveals who submitted the hardware for U.S. authorization.

4) Scan for NDAA disclaimers

Retail and spec pages sometimes include lines such as “not for federal government use” under NDAA. That language is a signal to dig deeper into component sourcing.

5) Watch where the camera talks

Check your router’s client list or DNS logs for connections to Dahua domains, such as dahuatech.com or documented Dahua subdomains. If you notice persistent traffic to those hosts, your device may be dependent on Dahua services. The Nebraska complaint cites analysis that linked Lorex firmware to Dahua-controlled domains.

If any check raises red flags, treat the camera as untrusted until you update the firmware, segment it on your network, or replace it.

Safer setup steps you can do today

1) Update firmware from your brand’s official site. Install security patches.

2) Segment devices on a guest or IoT network with no access to laptops or NAS drives.

3) Disable remote access you do not use. Turn off UPnP.

4) Store video locally when possible, not in a cloud you cannot audit.

5) Use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for both the camera app and your router.

What this means for you

If you own a Lorex camera, you can keep using it after basic hardening, but you should verify what is inside first. If your checks suggest Dahua lineage, weigh the risk. You can isolate the device on your network or replace it with equipment clearly labeled as NDAA compliant. Keep receipts and screenshots if you decide to return it.

Related Links: 

• Best security cameras to monitor and identify car vandalism
• Facial recognition cameras capture escaped New Orleans inmates
• 5 best light bulb security cameras to brighten up your home security

Kurt’s key takeaways

Smart cameras help protect our families. They also sit in our most private spaces. Transparency about components and firmware is not a niche detail; it’s the core of trust. Take a few minutes to run the checks above. Then decide if your setup still earns its spot on your network.

Would you keep a camera if you discovered it relied on a restricted supplier, or would you replace it right away? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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