Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has filed a lawsuit against ADI Global Distribution Inc., alleging that the company sold home surveillance cameras manufactured by Chinese firms Hikvision and Dahua without disclosing their origins or the associated security risks. The lawsuit claims that ADI, a major distributor of security and smart-home equipment, deceived Iowa consumers by concealing the fact that the cameras were produced by companies identified by the federal government as national security threats.
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The case centers on concerns that Iowans’ private data—including home layouts, resident identities, daily routines, and passwords—may have been accessible to the Chinese government and military through these devices. Bird contends that ADI not only failed to warn customers about these risks but also at times relabeled the cameras to obscure their true manufacturers, making it more difficult for consumers to know the origin of the products they were purchasing.
The lawsuit comes amid ongoing national scrutiny of Chinese technology firms, with federal agencies and state officials warning that equipment from companies like Hikvision and Dahua could be vulnerable to foreign surveillance. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has previously stated that telecommunications and surveillance products from these firms are susceptible to hacking and information requests from Chinese intelligence entities. These warnings have led to increased efforts at both the federal and state levels to restrict the use of such equipment, particularly in sensitive government and infrastructure settings.
Allegations Against ADI Global
According to the complaint, ADI Global Distribution sold security cameras in Iowa that were manufactured by Hikvision and Dahua, both of which are on a federal list of foreign entities considered national security risks. The Iowa Attorney General’s office alleges that ADI misled consumers by failing to disclose the cameras’ origins and by sometimes changing product labels to hide their connection to the Chinese companies. The complaint states that this practice persisted for years, during which time Iowans’ privacy may have been compromised.
Bird’s office claims that the deception was ongoing, putting Iowans’ privacy at risk. The lawsuit asserts that no documentation provided with the cameras warned buyers of the potential security issues or the manufacturers’ ties to the Chinese military. The Attorney General’s office argues that consumers were left unaware that the devices they installed to protect their homes and families could actually expose them to foreign surveillance.
"Iowans use video surveillance cameras to protect themselves, but these cameras are doing exactly the opposite. These China-made cameras are making Iowans’ private information—everything from where each room is in your home, who lives there, your routine, and even passwords—available to the Chinese government and military."
— Brenna Bird, Iowa Attorney General
Bird said in a statement that "the deception needs to stop; companies aligned with China will be held accountable to Iowa’s law." The Attorney General’s office is seeking to hold ADI responsible under state law for allegedly failing to disclose the security risks associated with foreign-manufactured surveillance equipment.
Federal Security Concerns
The Federal Communications Commission has identified Hikvision and Dahua as security threats, warning that their equipment is vulnerable to both hacking and information requests from the Chinese government. The FCC has stated that such products pose a recognized risk to American users, echoing concerns raised by Bird in the Iowa lawsuit. The federal government’s designation of these companies as national security risks has led to restrictions on their use in federal agencies and critical infrastructure.
The Iowa Attorney General’s office noted that ADI markets itself as a trusted provider of security and smart-home solutions. However, both state and federal officials maintain that significant privacy and security risks remain when using products from the two Chinese manufacturers. The lawsuit alleges that ADI’s failure to inform consumers of these risks undermines the trust that customers place in security providers.
Broader Context and Responses
The lawsuit reflects broader national concerns about the security of Chinese-made technology and its potential use for foreign surveillance. U.S. authorities have placed Hikvision and Dahua on a list of entities that pose national security risks, and several states have taken steps to restrict or ban their equipment in government and critical infrastructure settings. These actions are part of a wider effort to address the potential vulnerabilities posed by foreign-manufactured technology in sensitive environments.
The Iowa Attorney General’s lawsuit is one of several actions taken by state officials across the country to address the risks associated with Chinese surveillance technology. The case highlights the ongoing debate over how best to protect consumers and critical infrastructure from potential foreign interference.
As of the lawsuit’s filing, ADI Global Distribution has not publicly responded to the allegations. The Iowa Attorney General’s office has indicated it will pursue accountability under state law for companies that fail to disclose security risks associated with foreign-manufactured surveillance equipment. The outcome of the case could have implications for how security products are marketed and sold in Iowa and potentially in other states as well.
For more information, the Iowa Attorney General’s office has published the full petition and a press release outlining the details of the lawsuit.
