US Retailers Remove Chinese Surveillance Tech - Latest News

Retailers Halt Sales of Chinese Surveillance Tech

Major retail chains, including Home Depot and Best Buy, have ceased selling products from Lorex and Ezviz, companies specializing in video surveillance technology. This decision stems from concerns regarding connections to documented human rights violations.

Home Depot and Best Buy’s Response

Home Depot communicated to TechCrunch its dedication to maintaining rigorous ethical sourcing standards. The company stated it immediately discontinued the sale of Lorex products upon becoming aware of the issues. A spokesperson further confirmed the removal of Ezviz products from its stores. Best Buy similarly announced it was ending its commercial relationship with both Lorex and Ezviz.

Lowe’s Follows Suit

Following inquiries from TechCrunch and the surveillance industry publication IPVM, Lowe’s also removed Lorex products from its shelves. The company did not provide a public statement regarding this action.

The Connection to Dahua and Hikvision

Lorex operates as a subsidiary of Dahua Technology, while Ezviz is a video surveillance camera brand owned by Hikvision. Both Dahua and Hikvision are based in China and were placed on the U.S. government’s economic blacklist in 2019.

U.S. Government Concerns

The U.S. government linked Dahua and Hikvision to China’s suppression of ethnic minorities within Xinjiang, a region predominantly inhabited by Uighur Muslims. It is alleged that Beijing relies heavily on these technology firms to provide surveillance equipment used to monitor the Uighur population.

Allegations of Human Rights Abuses

The Biden administration has characterized the human rights situation in Xinjiang as a “genocide.” Chinese video surveillance manufacturers are accused of involvement in human rights violations, including mass arbitrary detention and advanced technological surveillance targeting Uighurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslim minority groups.

United Nations Findings

Watchdog organizations associated with the United Nations report that Chinese authorities have detained over one million Uighurs in internment camps in recent years. China consistently refutes these allegations.

Limitations of Existing Sanctions

Current sanctions do not extend to subsidiaries of Dahua and Hikvision, such as Lorex and Ezviz, nor do they apply to private sector sales. Consequently, consumers generally retain the ability to purchase this technology.

Lorex’s Retail Partnerships

Until recently, Lorex’s website identified Home Depot, Best Buy, Lowe’s, Walmart, and Costco as its five authorized national retail partners.

Lorex’s Statement

A Lorex spokesperson stated the company maintains full transparency with its retail partners regarding its ownership, since its acquisition in 2018. They also indicated regular communication with these companies concerning regulatory and compliance matters, including responses to inquiries about proposed FCC regulations.

Website Updates and Remaining Retailers

Following the removal of its products from several stores, Lorex removed the logos of those retailers from its website. However, the company continues to list most of them – excluding Walmart – as current retailers of its technology.

Walmart and Costco’s Position

Walmart and Costco, which continue to sell Lorex and Ezviz products, did not respond to requests for comment.

Advocacy Group Response

Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, praised the “meaningful actions” taken by the U.S. government, including bans on forced labor and sanctions against Chinese companies. However, he expressed concern that American companies are still contributing to the ongoing repression.

Lack of Response from Hikvision

Neither Hikvision nor Ezviz responded to requests for comment from TechCrunch and IPVM.